A coalition of European trade federations representing groups including independent garages, parts distributors and component and equipment suppliers has published a manifesto urging the European Commission to legislate to assure fair remote access to in-vehicle date and functional resources.

The first REPEXPERT Academy LIVE training day is set to take place on Saturday 16 November at Lincoln College. Spaces are still available, but techs are urged to book now to avoid disappointment. Doors open at 9.30am, and the day runs until 4pm.

TRICO and MAFCO Autobar have teamed up for their annual Cash in for Christmas campaign.  

Decelerometers are the next equipment type that will need to be able to connect directly to the MOT testing service when being replaced.

 Northampton-based independent garage In Town Automotive has seen one of its young techs named as Apprentice of the Year at the SME Northamptonshire Business Awards.

Top Garage 2020 begins its run today (Friday 1 November). Following last year’s amazing competition, thousands of businesses are expected to take part. Those who go through the various rounds will face a number of online tasks, which culminate in a live final on Saturday 20 June 2020.

The DVSA is aiming to make security checks for MOT garage owners and managers simpler via DBS checks. From 1 November, anyone applying to be an authorised examiner (AE) or authorised examiner designated manager (AEDM) will need to have a basic DBS check. This verifies identity and checks for unspent convictions.

NGK’s MO70 Dragmower has made a sensational track debut at Santa Pod Raceway – recording a top speed of 115.53mph.

ZF Aftermarket has been named Automotive Aftermarket Parts Manufacturer of the Year at the Irish Auto Trade Awards for the second year in a row.

Comline named as A1 Component Supplier of the Year 2019 Comline has been named 'Component Supplier of the Year’ by A1 Motor Stores, the third time they have won the title.  The latest award, which was presented at A1’s gala evening in Newcastle, completes a hat trick for the brand who have previously secured title in 2016 and 2017.

Thatcham Research has today (Friday 25 October) launched IMI-accredited ADAS calibration training, designed to close what it classifies as an emerging skills gap. Since the publication of its ‘Managing vehicle repairs involving ADAS’ document in May, Thatcham Research has been engaged in industry consultation with industry associations and bodies, including the IMI, SMMT, BVRLA, NBRA and IGA.

“It is vital that the government agrees a Brexit deal with the EU. If it cannot, then prices will rise as a result of the import tariffs that will be paid on vehicles and parts. It is in everyone’s interests that a future trade deal between the UK and EU removes these tariffs,” said RMI Chairman Peter Johnson, speaking at this year’s RMI  Annual Dinner in London last night (10 October 2019).

Ben has launched a Critical response service with a view to support employers and their employees during times of crisis.

NGK and British drag racing champion Andy Robinson are keeping their fingers crossed for fine weather for the first official track debut of NGK’s Racing Lawnmower MO70 today (Friday 4 October 2019) at Santa Pod Raceway.

MOT testing stations buying a roller brake tester must now make sure it is a model that can connect to the MOT testing service, the DVSA has reminded garages.

Top Technician 2020 is launching today (Tuesday 1 October 2019). Those who wish to enter to test their skills in the competition should go to www.aftermarketonline.net/toptechnician and then select “enter here”.

Euro Car Parts has announced the launch of a year-long partnership with automotive industry charity Ben, through a massive national relay challenge covering 2,500km across the country in just five days.

TechMan has joined the top-draw names that are aligning with Top Technician and Top Garage 2020 as it becomes a headline sponsor for the competitions.

Snap-on has signed up with Top Technician and Top Garage 2020, becoming the first sponsor put its full support behind the two competitions for 2020.

VARTA is the latest high-profile name to become a sponsor of Top Technician and Top Garage 2020.

Hella Gutmann Solutions (HGS) and online car repair marketplace WhoCanFixMyCar.com have teamed up to provide motorists with a pointer for diagnostic solutions.

Snap-on is offering a new seminar about ADAS. The event is accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and gives attendees an overview of ADAS and how the various systems must now be considered part of their everyday work.

Primalec has announced its refrigerant sealants range is now being produced in the UK. The on-shoring process for Airco Seal Pro, the micro leak repair system for air conditioning refrigerants, is now complete. The company says this will  lead to a shorter and more reliable supply chain.

Lumileds has launched a new series of videos, presented by its brand ambassador, Andy Savva, a.k.a The Garage Inspector, to highlight the Philips automotive and workshop lighting offering, explain how technicians can stay safe and profitable in the workplace, as well as offer more safety and comfort to their customers.
 
Throughout the five-part series, recently premiered on its YouTube channel – Philips Automotive Lighting Europe – Andy offers technical and business advice, such as how upselling and upgrading headlight bulbs can be a healthy revenue stream, as well as explain how technicians should always change headlight bulbs in pairs and offer a free headlight check to motorists.
 
In addition, Andy shows how Lumileds is keeping technicians safe and productive in the workshop with its range of Philips professional workshop lamps.
 
Lumileds Business Development Manager Automotive – UK and Ireland, Richard Armstrong, said: “These videos are going to prove useful for both technicians and our distributors, as they provide in-depth information about what Philips can offer, not just in terms of using our products in the workplace, such as professional workshop lamps, but also selling our range of headlight bulbs to end-users.
 
“We’re grateful to Andy, someone who is at the top of his profession and well-qualified to explain the quality of our products, for collaborating with us to launch these videos – someone that technicians around the UK and Ireland will know well. His experience has proved invaluable to us, and we look forward to working with him in future projects.”
 
To find out more: www.philips.com/automotive

DENSO is rewarding its distributors by creating the DENSO Club, an initiative that offers customers the opportunity to win trips to either DENSO’s global headquarters in Japan or diesel factory in Budapest.  

Autoelectro Managing Director Tony Bhogal as said he was “honoured” to lead the judging panel in the 2020 Bradford Classic Car Show on Saturday 17August.

Textar has expanded its distribution network across South Wales with the addition of new stockist Spartan Motor Factors.

Comline will be flying the flag in Moscow in later this month, when they appeared at MIMS Automechanika Russia, the country’s largest automotive expo.

MOT connectivity continues to roll out, with more equipment needing to be able of linking to the MOT testing service going forward, the DVSA is reminding garages.

TRICO has joined forces with MAFCO Autobar in a summer giveaway for buyers of TRICO wiper blades.

TRICO has unveiled its new planogram design with signage, which allows retailers to display its entire Exact Fit range to customers – using just a single two-metre bay.   The Exact Fit programme is a comprehensive range of direct fit, OE replacement blades, with almost 150 references giving 99% front and rear wiper coverage.

The JLM Academy officially opened its doors on Saturday (20 July). The brainchild of Darren Darling, founder of The DPF Doctor Network, the new Academy is fielding a top-drawer roster of industry trainers, including Darren and Andy Savva, a.k.a The Garage Inspector.

A Bristol MOT tester has been prosecuted after he carried out illegitimate MOTs in a Somerset layby.

Autoglass has launched the Over The Air calibration solution which adds to its existing ADAS proposition. The combination makes what the company calls the Total Calibration Solution for ADAS diagnostics, coding and calibration.

Industry charity Ben saw a 29% year-on-year increase in the number of cases managed by its support services team, according to the organisation’s annual Impact Report for 2018-19, which was published this week.

The DVSA has published new, clearer guidance on how they want to see MOT stations run that puts all relevant information in one place.

The Parts Alliance concluded their latest promotion by revealing the winner of an incredible prize - A brand new Porsche 911 Carrera worth almost £100,000.

A Leeds-based garage has seen an advert it placed in a magazine banned by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) due to its perceived sexist content.

Sales of TRICO wiper blades have surged year-on-year at Autoparts UK, with the brand’s Exact Fit and Flex range going up 65% during the period.

he unprecedented rain and flooding that lashed much of Britain recently did not deter keen garage owners in the midlands from attending an open evening at The Parts Alliance’s new Midpoint Distribution Centre in mid-June, during the worst of the weather. A total of 250 attendees including 25 key suppliers made it for the event

A favourable Brexit deal is absolutely vital for the UK automotive sector, and securing one should be the top priority for the UK’s next Prime Minister, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said today (Tuesday 25 June) at the industry’s annual International Automotive Summit.

The following businesses have been named as the winners of Top Garage 2019.  

The winner and runner up for Top Technician 2019 have been announced. Neil Currie from Robertson Gemini in Dumfries & Galloway is 2019’s champion Meanwhile, Declan Robinson, who works at Philips Volkswagen in Lisburn, Northern Ireland was runner up.  

Hickleys are running a series of key programming presentations that will show the opportunities available in key programming. The evening sessions are being held around the country in June.

Draper Tools will be bringing in a special guest at their stand at Automechanika Birmingham 2019, as the company be joined by British Touring Car Championship race team Excelr8 Motorsport

The finalists for Top Garage have been named. The following businesses will compete to become winner within their own group, as well as for the overall championship for the year.  

The IAAF’s Your Car - Your Choice pilot project in Chesterfield has taken another step forward following the first ever garage awareness day.More than 100 people attended the event, held at Bilstein Group, Markham Vale as garages were able to find out more about their rights under Block Exemption Regulations (BER) and hear presentations from automotive aftermarket suppliers supporting their right to service and repair vehicles within the warranty period.

Morris Lubricants brand ambassador, television personality and mechanic Guy Martin will open the Automechanika Birmingham Big UK Garage Event on Tuesday 4 June.

MOT centres are less likely to need to provide replacement copies of lost MOT certificates for customers going forward, thanks to a new online service that has been launched. It is estimated that businesses made £6 million per year as a result of providing MOT certificate replacement copies