Nationwide Autocentre, the leading chain of independent car servicing and MOT test centres, has increased its portfolio of centres to 219 thanks to the acquisition of three operating garages, in the last three weeks.

The acquisition of Arkell in Birmingham, RAS Services in Derby and Scunthorpe Motorist Centre, continues Nationwide Autocentre’s strategic growth plan and highlights the business’s strength in the current economic slow down.

All existing members of staff at the three centres will be retained by Nationwide Autocentre and will undergo bespoke training to bring them in line with Nationwide Autocentre’s brand values and high standards of work.

Nationwide Autocentre is continuing its growth plan as negotiations are also underway on a variety of other acquisitions across the UK, all of which have reached the due diligence stage. ‘Heads of Terms’ have also been signed on four new ‘Greenfield’ sites.

Duncan Wilkes, CEO of Nationwide Autocentre, commented: “We would like to welcome Arkell, RAS Services and Scunthorpe Motorist Centre’s existing staff to the Nationwide Autocentre family.

The acquisition of the new centres has reinforces the strength of our position in the current competitive market place. We are continuing to expand our business and over the next three months we are set to have a further10 new centres up and running.”

Both Arkell and RAS Services will be re-branded as Nationwide Autocentre over the coming weeks, while Scunthorpe Motorist Centre will remain trading under the same name.

Duncan Wilkes continued: “Over the last 12 months our growth has continued at a rate of one new centre per month and will accelerate as we continue to expand our portfolio in 2009.

“This expansion is both a positive and exciting time for us and customers can rest assured that the high levels of quality service and personal approach that they are accustomed to receiving when they visit our existing centres, will also be rolled out across all of our new centres.”

In its constant quest to provide money saving advice to its readers, ‘The Sun’ newspaper ran a special feature reviewing the new ‘Fuel Service’ from Nationwide Autocentre, to see whether it really did improve MPG and lower CO2 emissions. They were so impressed that they offered every one of their readers a £5 voucher to put towards the cost of the service.

The ‘Fuel Service’ is the only one of its kind that specialises in cleaning the fuel system and engine on cars over three years old, using a specialist nine or 12 point system of checks to ensure the smoothest possible running.

The products, which are only available at Nationwide Autocentres, were put to the test by The Sun in five cars. The results showed that in all cases the car’s fuel emissions were substantially reduced, with all participants noting an increase in their MPG.

On the whole motorists are likely to see a significant improvement in both their MPG and CO2 emission levels, and in some cases experience a saving of up to £150 over three months.

Nationwide Autocentre is so confident that motorists will see an improvement in these levels that they are offering a money back guarantee. If both MPG and CO2 emissions show no improvement, Nationwide Autocentre is prepared to pay out a refund.

Duncan Wilkes, managing director of Nationwide Autocentre, commented: “This system is different because it burns more fuel in the engine itself, rather than burning fuel as it comes out of the exhaust. Not only does this help the environment by reducing CO2 emissions, but motorists will also get more miles per gallon for their money, which is a big help in these days of rising fuel prices.”

The ‘Fuel Service’ is now available at all Nationwide Autocentres across the UK.

New reports by the Daily Mail suggest that many car dealers are now refusing to take ‘worthless’ gas-guzzling 4x4s in part exchange, amid the plummeting values of second-hand cars.

Source: Nationwide Autocentres

Experts believe the slump is the result of the Government’s new proposals to hit millions of drivers with backdated car tax increases of up to £245, along with the soaring cost of fuel.

This has meant that many used cars are now worth more as scrap, as the demand for steel increases. Worst hit by this trend are 4x4s that would typically cost £100 or more to refuel. This, combined with the fact that by 2010 4×4 models that are currently two years old will become liable for over £450 a year in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), effectively means that these vehicles have become worthless to dealers.

The Government’s announcement of increased VED for higher polluting cars also means that motorists are now having to consider far more then just the initial cost of the car and its insurance premium.

It is estimated that between now and Christmas used car values will drop by 12%, meaning an average three-year-old family car worth £5,000 will have dropped £600 by Christmas. As predicted, those worst off will be owners of older cars with a high CO2 emission level and 4×4 owners.

Cars three years or older could cost more in the long run than buying the same model brand new.