57 per cent of garages are planning on increasing their prices according to a survey conducted by WhoCanFixMyCar. The survey, which was sent to WhoCanFixMyCar’s network of over 15,000 top-rated garages, mobile mechanics and dealerships, asked businesses whether they would be raising their prices soon, and if so, what had influenced that decision.
Repairify, asTech’s parent company, capped a year of unprecedented growth and expansion having completed more than 12.4 million automotive diagnostic scans across its family of automotive technology brands, delivering more than 4.9 million diagnostic reports across the collision, mechanical, dealership, auction, and reconditioning repair markets.
Bush Tyres has expanded its Boston, Lincolnshire branch with four new service bays. The branch offers MOT testing for cars as well as Class 7 MOTs for vans and motorhome. The improvements to the branch include the installation of wider bays for improved access for larger vehicles. Bush has also installed an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Camera and Radar Calibration Service. The mechanical expansion means Bush Tyres Boston can offer products and services to the car, 4×4, SUV, and agricultural tyre segments, in addition to exhausts, batteries, brakes, wheel alignments, wheel balancing and suspension work.
The Motor Ombudsman has launched its 2021 Garage Star Awards. The awards follow a successful inaugural 2020 recognition programme, which attracted more than 800 online customer nominations for Motor Ombudsman-accredited garages and dealerships across the UK. Cornwall-based Dukes AutoTech was crowned the first national winner. Two new awards have been added to the scheme for 2021, with 40 vehicle manufacturers accredited to The Motor Ombudsman’s New Car Code and 13 businesses that are part of the Vehicle Warranty Products Code eligible for two separate Customer Service Star Awards.
As part of its ongoing support programme for the independent aftermarket, LKQ Euro Car Parts has launched a new campaign to help garages enhance their service, maintenance and repair (SMR) offering and bring in more revenue. The SMR campaign will focus on the products, technology, training and tools independent garages need to complete every job efficiently and to a high standard – with the evolving make-up of the UK car parc in mind.
Today (Monday 11 January 2021), the DVSA updated its MOT guidance to clarify that “MOT centres can stay open in all areas of Great Britain, including during the national lockdown in England, the temporary lockdown in Scotland, and all of Wales in alert level 4 (lockdown)”. The same guidance always specifies that motorists are still required to get an MOT and there is no MOT exemption this time. As a result, garages across the UK should ensure that customers know that tyre fitting, vehicle repair and MOT services are permitted during the latest lockdown restrictions. At the same time, motorists need to know that there is no MOT exemption.
When the Covid-19 pandemic led to the first national lockdown in March 2020, it wasn’t immediately clear what was allowed to be open. It also took time to clarify who exactly could be defined as key workers. However, it quickly became apparent that – whatever else happens – logistics fleets and blue-light services were indispensable. And these vehicles can’t get anywhere without tyres. Therefore, garages and tyre-fitters were swiftly categorised as exempted businesses and key workers respectively. Having learnt the lessons of the first lockdown, this time things are clear: Tyre garages are allowed to remain open during lockdown. And tyre specialists are key workers.
National garage chain Servicesure has crowned Harrogate garage Simon Graeme Auto Service Centre the Autocentre of the Year in its 2020 annual awards. The North Yorkshire business beat stiff competition from a Servicesure network comprising 554 independent garages across England, Scotland and Wales in the third annual Servicesure Autocentre of the Year Awards. The awards celebrate best practice, success and outstanding customer service shown across the Servicesure network. An event would ordinarily be held in person, but awards were delivered individually to this year’s winners in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the ninth consecutive week of lockdown in the UK, two thirds of British workshops were open, according to the GiPA garage survey. This average includes franchised dealers, independent motor traders and tyre dealers, as well as national chains. Watch the Tyrepress webinar, ‘Kick-starting your tyre business’ for more information and advice on how different dealer groups have tackled lockdown and reopening.
Knowledge of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is becoming a necessary requirement in the aftermarket as more vehicles with these systems are entering the workshop. Hella is an ADAS specialist that not only designs and manufactures many of the sensors and radars on which these systems rely, but through its subsidiary, Hella Gutmann Solutions (HGS), has been educating the industry in the importance of ADAS calibration and its repercussions for independent businesses for more than a decade.
Autogem has created a triple-layer, reusable anti-bacterial facemask. The new product has been added to the TPMS and workshop consumables supplier in response to the needs of customers during the COVID-19 outbreak. The ‘gemCare’ masks, which are non-medical grade and will therefore not affect the supply chain to the NHS, are designed by medical professionals. Autogem added that the masks are intended to complement other protective measures, such as washing hands and maintaining social distancing.
It looks like a light has appeared at the end of the tunnel, as some of the lockdown restrictions begin to be eased. The latest government advice is that those who are able to work, but not from home, should now return to work. They are also advising commuters that it is their civic duty NOT to use public transport, and cycle, walk or use the car instead. As the average UK commute is almost an hour, lots of people will start to use their cars again.
The Garage Equipment Association (GEA), Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd (SMMT) have published a best practice guide outlining the necessary steps for garages exiting lockdown.
Research conducted by aftermarket analysts GiPA during the week commencing 30 March 2020 found that 53 per cent of workshops were closed.
Fixter, an online car maintenance service provider, has published survey results which show that essential businesses, such as independent garages, are valued more than before the crisis. Specifically, 89 per cent of customers who rely on their cars now think that it is more important than ever to keep it in a good condition.
asTech
Bush Tyres
TechMan
Cottonbro; Pexels
GiPA
Hella
Autogem
Schaeffler
GEA, IMI, SMMT