As part of our mission to become a carbon neutral business, we headed to the Peak District to plant maple, lime, aspen, birch and oak trees. 

The Peak District National Park Foundation,

 twelve members of the team took part in planting the trees. After six long hours in the November rain and wind, the team had successfully planted 55 trees. 

The process was simple. First, two wooden support poles were hammered into the ground. In the middle, a hole was dug, and a small tree inserted. The earth had to be closed and tightly packed around the roots to ensure oxygen was not present as this could reduce the chance of the tree’s success. To protect the tree from animals, a small plastic sheaf was wrapped around it, with a cane used for support and metal mesh secured on the outside.

Despite the cold weather, the team enjoyed the day. Hannah Fisher, Bumper Consumer Marketing Manager, said, “What's better than being out in the open air, socialising and getting a bit of exercise while planting some wonderful trees?

“I am very grateful for the opportunities we are given at Bumper to go and spend time volunteering alongside colleagues. We all need to contribute to looking after our environment and it's important that employers recognise this and allow their team members time to do their bit too. 

"I look forward to seeing how those trees flourish!”

Ash Dieback disease is caused by an airborne fungus that spreads from tree to tree. Killing them from the top down, the infection weakens their structure making them likely to uproot. This can be unsafe for residents and visitors. 

Climate change has only made the problem worse. Spring 2020, one of the warmest recorded, has left the Ash trees more prone to catching the disease and recent evidence suggests that in 10 to 15 years Ash Dieback disease will result in the death of 90% of Ash trees in the UK. 

The aim of the Peak District National Park Foundation is to prevent the spread of the disease by removing infected trees to prevent the spread and restore the woodland areas by planting other native tree species such as Oak and Birch. 

The Peak District National Park Foundation is a registered charity created to conserve the national park for future generations; preparing the area for a future climate and preserving and restoring natural habitats. 

If you would like to help the foundation in their fight against 

 disease or their other important appeals you can find out more information or make a donation on their 

We head to the Peak District to create the Bumper Forest

We’re pleased to announce our Dealership of the Month for October 2022 is CarMoney. Bumper Business Development Consultant, Ricardo Fishbourne visited their site earlier this month. Pictured above are Michael and Jon, who received the award on behalf of the team. 

A car finance provider who pride themselves on transparency and simplicity, CarMoney allows customers to split the cost of their deposit into interest-free monthly instalments, using Bumper's PayLater. 

Their commitment to making things clear and simple is reflected in their Trustpilot reviews. One customer said, “We’re really glad CarMoney were helpful and let you know all about Bumper!” and another wrote, "Spot on customer service. Efficient response and prompt feedback. Well done guys.” 

Well done to Michael, Jon, and the rest of the team at CarMoney on an outstanding month using Bumper’s PayLater to make car deposits affordable for all. 

Dealership of the Month: CarMoney 

We have moved our headquarters to the heart of Sheffield City Centre. 

Located near Sheffield Hallam University, the new site is home to our Operations, Growth, and People team. The office is our third to open in Europe, with a tech centre in Ankara, Turkey and another office in Hammersmith, London. 

The news comes as it was announced Sheffield would be one of the first cities in the country to receive a share of the government’s £1.5 billion ‘levelling-up’ fund as part of their plan to improve areas outside of London. Since our move to Sheffield we have employed 12 members of staff in the Yorkshire area and plan to bring a further 40 jobs to the region. 

CEO and co-founder, James Jackson, said, “

We’re really excited to have relocated our headquarters to Sheffield, in the heart of Yorkshire. After a year of expansion and growth which includes partnering with new dealer groups like Nissan, and bringing Bumper to Germany and the Republic of Ireland, this next step will allow us to continue to grow the platform, opening to new markets, securing further funding and offering the service to more dealers and garages.

“When deciding to open an office in Sheffield, it really was an easy decision to make. Sheffield have access to great talent, through the world class universities and the growing start-up ecosystem. It's also a great place to live with access to the beautiful Peak District on our doorstep. 

"The people of Sheffield are hard-working, creative and friendly to their core, and we are thrilled to be able to bring more jobs to the local area. What’s more, the fact that Sheffield was one of the first cities to benefit from the Government’s Levelling up agenda proves that it’s an area with a bright future ahead. We can’t wait to continue growing and achieving more success, boosting the economy in Sheffield and the surrounding area.” 

Bumper move HQ to Sheffield

We’ve scoured the internet for the best novelty car accessories you can buy online. 

Some people feel that certain cars just exude feminine energy and therefore like to empower them with fake eyelashes. You may remember that these became very popular around the early 2010s, but we think they’re due for a comeback. Full throttle or full glam? 

If you’re in the mood for scolding yourself with boiling hot water on your morning commute, why not go for an in-car Espresso Machine? Having said that, we would risk it all for our morning coffee. 

Some would say the casual car sleeper is a person at their lowest. But we disagree, the back seat bedtime is the resting place for the most resourceful of people. So why not curl up on this comfy-looking air mattress? You might need to pop your legs out the window if you’re tall. 

Cars just weren’t designed for how much fast food we need to eat in them. Whilst you’re tackling the burger, where do you put your fries? And who thought of putting three cup holders in a car that seats four? It just doesn’t work. Alone, these products don't solve the problem, but together you’re onto a winner. Just make sure to only use this whilst parked! 

If you agree with our list, the items listed above are available to purchase online now. But we suspect your money might be better spent elsewhere. 

Best novelty car accessories found online

To mark Remembrance Day, Bumper remembers those who fought so valiantly during conflict. We’re proud to share the following story of Joseph Hammond, a mechanic from Ghana who served in the armed forces during the Second World War.

Joseph Hammond, 95, was at school in Ghana when the Second World War began in 1939. Having always wanted to join the army, he signed up to be a mechanic in July 1943 and began his training. 

After his mechanical training he was posted to the Third Advanced Based Workshops in Takoradi, the western region of Ghana. Then in November 1943 along with ten others he was drafted to the war and taken to the harbour. 

They boarded the HMS Circassia with 2,500 other troops and were sent to India attached to the 3

 Gurkhas Regiment, 3rd Infantry Battalion. When the troops reached India they began training for combat in Khulna in Bangladesh. 

Joseph said, “All the troops were trained in India. You’ll be trained how to kill, no fears, so that when you go to the war you don’t fear. We trained for six months…after our training we went to Chittagong [Bangladesh]” 

The troops were made up of two divisions, the 81

. As they had been training the longest the 81

 division was sent to fight the Japanese forces first with the objective of pushing them back. The 81

 division was out for six months, and then it was time for Joseph’s division to join them. 

Joseph explains how fighting the Japanese armed forces was much worse than fighting with the German and Italian forces in Europe. “It was terrible because the Japanese were the most ferocious human fighters that I have ever seen,” he said. “If a Japanese soldier is captured in the war, as a war prisoner, he has disgraced his family. But when you die it’s an honour to your family - this was their mentality." 

When his troops reached the Irrawaddy River, they held the Japanese forces back from crossing. When the Japanese moved south, Joseph and his troops began to follow them. He remembers how at a point at the river near Ma-Ubin, the fighting was so terrible 6 men lost their lives. 

Occasionally they would become short of food for 3 or 4 days. The troops would live off biscuits and corned beef until a parachute would be dropped, replenishing their supplies and ammunition. 

In one small town, they encountered a difficult point in the fighting with snipers hiding in the trees around the river. The fighting was devastating, and many people were killed. When the battle became so intense, they asked for help from the artillery. The positions of the Japanese forces were bombarded heavily whilst the ground shook violently. 

During the conflict, Joseph realised he had been injured, with one eye protruding. Not knowing what would happen, he was flown to Pune City, India, and sent to the hospital for treatment. Specialist Lieutenant Crocket, an eye specialist, told Joseph the issue could have been contaminated blood; that he had possibly touched the blood of a wounded soldier and rubbed his eye. 

Joseph stayed in the hospital until the end of the Second World War. At the end of the conflict, he was still confined to the hospital. Other troops later told him they had been congratulated by General Slim for their efforts in the war. 

“And I feel proud today that I also defended the British Empire. We fought ferociously, we fought very well against the Japanese, we conquered them. And I’m happy that I took part in it. I Joseph Hammond, I also took part and I feel very proud I contributed a lot during the war." 

The troops arrived back home to Ghana in December 1945 and the first to bring the green battle dress back to the country. Joseph was part of 600,000 soldiers from across Africa who served with the British Forces during the second world war. 

Following the war, he pursued jobs in hospitality, construction, and fishing. He retired in 2006. He continues to live in Ghana, recently raising £500,000 for front-line workers and vulnerable veterans during the Covid-19 pandemic across Africa. 

You can watch Joseph's full interview with the British Legion 

Joseph Hammond's memories of the Second World War 

Like many others working in the tech industry, the pandemic had dramatically changed our working life over the last few years. Spending more time at home, away from colleagues, created a more challenging working environment for us.

When it was announced we would be going to Portugal for a team-bonding exercise we were excited for some face-to-face time with colleagues.

Initially, the trip was postponed due to the Covid lockdowns in Turkey, where our tech team are based, so we had to wait a while before we could. 

In preparation, we created an app to keep our fellow ‘Bumpees’ up to date with timetables, flight times and menus for evening meals. The organisers of the trip used the app to send notifications to the attendees. We also had to make sure our visas were applied for and approved, which was a very lengthy process.

When June 2022 arrived, we were ready to go. The team jumped on a plane from Ankara to Lisbon – flight time, 8 hours! We reached Lisbon and headed to our hotel in Ericeira, a small surfer town about 50 minutes from the centre of Lisbon.

Then it was time for the retreat to begin. First on the agenda was meeting the rest of the team face-to-face. Having only seen most of the team members on video calls, it was interesting to see how we shared many of the same values and goals.

The following days were filled with activities, workshops, motivational speakers, and a little time to spend on the beach too! The whole experience was unforgettable and has really brought the team closer together.

Semih Özden graduated with a 3.45 GPA from Orta Doğu Teknik University, Ankara and has over 5 years of experience as a front and back-end developer. 

He has worked as a React developer for Bumper for almost 2 years and is responsible for designing and creating JavaScript-based applications for web or mobile environments. 

Our tech team reflect on their trip to Portugal

A blocked DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) can cause serious engine issues, reducing power and increasing fuel consumption. 

Common symptoms include the DPF warning light, loss of power, black smoke, and poor fuel economy. This guide explains the signs of a clogged DPF and how to fix it.

A DPF filter captures harmful soot particles from diesel exhaust, holding them until they can be burned into less harmful ash through a high-temperature regeneration process.

 Since 2009, DPFs have been mandatory on 

A blocked Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is a common issue in diesel vehicles, with the flashing orange DPF warning light being the most obvious sign. 

But there are other symptoms to watch for, such as:

The most obvious sign of a blocked DPF is the illuminated 

 This indicates that the filter is clogged and may need to be regenerated or cleaned.

Loss of Engine Power & Sluggish Acceleration

If your engine feels sluggish and lacks the usual power, it could be due to a blocked DPF. This restriction can limit the engine's efficiency and performance, causing a noticeable loss of power.

A blocked DPF can prevent your engine from revving past a certain RPM. This is because the engine’s exhaust gases can’t flow freely, which can cause the vehicle to feel restricted.

When the DPF is clogged, incomplete combustion of fuel can cause 

 to be emitted from the exhaust. This is an indication that the engine is struggling to properly filter exhaust gases.

A clogged DPF can lead to starting issues, especially if the filter is severely blocked. If your vehicle struggles to start, it could be related to poor exhaust flow due to the blocked filter.

When the DPF is not functioning optimally, your vehicle may burn more fuel than usual, resulting in 

This happens because the engine works harder to push exhaust gases through the clogged filter.

In many modern vehicles, the start-stop function helps save fuel by turning off the engine when idling. 

A blocked DPF can cause this function to stop working, as the engine may need to stay running to maintain exhaust flow.

A strong smell of diesel inside the cabin could indicate that the DPF is not properly filtering the exhaust gases. This can result in unburned fuel entering the cabin, which can be harmful to both the driver and passengers.

Noticed some clogged DPF symptoms? Here are a few quick fixes for each problem.

If any of the issues above persist, a professional DPF clean may be necessary to restore optimal performance and prevent further damage to your vehicle.

You can use DIY techniques to tend to minor DPF problems. These basic fixes include driving at a higher speed and using a DPF cleaning additive.

While these can help clear blocked DPF symptoms, it’s best to consult a professional for thorough cleaning in case the blockage is significant. In a few cases, you may need a replacement, which is always best done by a professional.

What happens if you ignore a blocked DPF?

Ignoring a blocked DPF can lead to poor engine performance, increased fuel consumption, and potentially severe engine or exhaust system damage. 

These can even lead to costly repairs and reduced vehicle lifespan. Not ideal! If you think your diesel particulate filter is clogged, get it checked out as soon as possible. 

Luckily, you can avoid a clogged DPF. Here are the top 3 tips drivers need to know to ensure their diesel particulate filter isn’t clogged.

Sadly, diesel cars aren’t great if you only want to pop to and from the shops. 

The exhaust needs to be hot to burn off the soot. If it never reaches a temperature high enough, it will only become more blocked. 

To mitigate this, ensure at least once a week it makes a journey above 40mph for over 30 minutes, or more if possible. This is your sign to hit the motorway!

Special oils have been developed for use in DPF-fitted cars. These have lower element content to avoid soot buildup (e.g. Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur). 

You'll find these labelled low SAPS at any regular shop selling engine oil. For more information about oils, find out 

3. Take care of any other engine issues promptly

Diesels are generally more complex than petrol engines. They have more components that can fail and cause issues with DPFs. 

You should pay close attention to any issues on:

The above can cause excess oil or soot to exit the engine through miss-fueling or oil consumption. These will clog up a DPF in record time, so be on the lookout for 

How long does a DPF last before it needs replacing? 

A DPF typically lasts between 80,000 to 150,000 miles. This can depend on your driving habits and vehicle maintenance. 

Regular long drives help extend its lifespan, while lots of stop-start city driving may cause it to wear out sooner. 

A DPF replacement costs between £800 to £2,000.

DPF replacement costs are affected by the vehicle's make and model, the type of DPF required, labour costs, and whether the DPF is an aftermarket or original part.

Some garages specialise in replacement DPFs, but generally, most normal garages can remove and replace a DPF. 

With proper maintenance and regular longer journeys, a DPF can last up to 100,000 miles. So, don’t delay those road trips—frequent driving helps keep the DPF functioning well.

Yes, it’s illegal, and you’ll face an invalidated insurance policy and a fine (up to £1,000 for cars and around £2,500 for vans). 

Even if your diesel particulate filter is clogged, you should never remove it.

Think your DPF is clogged? Hopefully, this blog has helped you understand DPF clogs, the symptoms, and how to prevent this problem. While you hopefully won't face this pesky issue, knowing how to navigate it will help you save time if it happens.

If you need to fix your DPF and are worried about costs, Bumper is here to help.

, you can split the cost of DPF replacements and other repairs into monthly instalments, completely interest-free.

Choose from thousands of trusted and reliable repairers.

Is Your DPF Blocked? 8 Warning Signs and How to Fix Them

How to know if your DPF is blocked

¿Cómo saber si el Filtro de Partículas Diésel (FAP) está obstruido?

So erkennen Sie, ob der Dieselpartikelfilter (DPF) verstopft ist

We’re thrilled to announce the Dealership of the Month for September 2022 is Arden BMW and Mini Maidstone. Our Business Development Consultant for the Southeast, Jack McHale, met with Elise to present her with the award. 

The meeting was an opportunity for us to catch up with the team at Arden and discuss how Bumper’s PayLater product can be improved for the customer and service advisors using it on-site. 

The team’s successful month using Bumper is certainly shown in their Trustpilot reviews. ‘Great experience, service is great’, wrote one customer. Another said, ‘Easy decision really. Why not spread the cost?’ 

We’ll done to Elise, Marc, Stephen, and the rest of the team on an outstanding month using Bumper to help split the cost of customer’s repair bills into interest-free monthly payments. Here’s to many more! 

Alastair Shephard

Content Writer