Rapid Fit

I do love Christmas. Admittedly mine's not completely focussed on the bible's definition of Christmas, but then to me, the real meaning of the festive season is everyone getting along together, families reuniting, drinking too much and giving gifts. It's on the gifts front I've really struggled this time around and have actually become stressed for the first time this year. For my dad, jeans seemed like a sensible option, but despite being a self-proclaimed fashion victim I found the choice of fitments bewildering. 'Straight cut', 'boot cut', 'flared', 'indie low slung' and 'Kyoto baggy' all exist. What next: 'rapid fit?'

Despite the credit crunch it seemed everyone was after a pair of rapid fits too, as I was jostled up and down the high street. And that's the thing with the general public - they cannot forward plan. The reason we were all fighting down the aisles, panicking we'd have nothing for our loved ones on Christmas Day was because a month ago when we knew there was one month and a day until the 25 December, we all sat back, put the kettle on and said "ages to go yet".

If I'm being honest, I'm pretty rubbish at planning anything at all, hence why routine is king. I know that I have to be in the office by 8:30 Monday to Friday and that, football is Monday night at seven, and band practice is Tuesday at eight. The rest of the week involves me swearing at red lights and traffic jams as I realise I've not left enough time to get anywhere on time. Essays at University were the started the night before and finished the morning of the deadline.

Perhaps the area I am most unorganised/plain lazy in is the upkeep and maintenance of my car. At the start of every summer I lovingly wash it, scrub the alloy wheels, polish the exhaust, vacuum and dust the interior and vow to keep it this way forever more. A month later you could write your name on the dashboard in the dust and being able to see out of the dirty windscreen is a luxury.

This of course is purely the aesthetics of the car. The important aspects like oil levels, tyre pressures and screen wash are so, so vital to the safe running of my car, but due to me being an idiot are the least checked things. You see once work finishes I'm back to my unorganised self and that means I don't have the time for things like safety maintenance.

It's perhaps unsurprising then that the other day I was setting off on a grand tour of the UK, with the sun shining despite the freezing temperature only to be met with a worrying clattering sound from under the bonnet. Perturbed I stopped at a garage called Rapid Fit and asked them to have a look - hoping the 'rapid' in their name was apt, due to my lateness at embarking on my journey.

Much to my embarrassment, the engine wasn't happy as, much like an alcoholic, it was in need of a drink - oil in this particular case. My year of neglect came to an end there and then and I now live my life in an organised manner - which includes regular oil checks. The road to Rapid Fit was also the road to Damascus in my case.

The great thing about the guys at Rapid Fit though was that they didn't make me feel stupid and they do of course offer far more car servicing options than topping up oil for idiots. Because Rapid Fit is run by Ford, I'd never thought to use them before (until I had to) as I've bought Korean. Rest assured though, regardless of what make and model of car you own, you have access to the same parts and servicing as Mondeo Man or the Focus Family.

Even better, if you're still unorganised as I used to be, there's no need to book an appointment, just turn up and you'll be served. Most of the work can be done while-you-wait which will surely find favour with everyone who's in a rush to have their car fixed and grab those last few Christmas presents. The repairs on offer are extensive, with Rapid Fit's main specialities including: tyres, exhausts, batteries, shock absorbers, brakes, clutches and cooling systems.

If I've a message to impart from this article it is to remember that a car is not just for Christmas but for life - so look after it.