VALEO has launched a contest to reward mechanics who go the extra mile to help their customers.

BOSCH says it will not celebrate its Car Service network being ranked as the top-performing garage scheme in a Which? mystery shopping investigation until it has “eliminated all errors from it’s service delivery”.

EURO Car Parts has signed a deal with Bosch to run the AutoCrew workshop scheme in the UK, Aftermarket understands.

THE GOOD Garage Scheme (GGS) plans to introduce a mystery shopper check to its members following a damming verdict of garage standards in a Which? investigation.

CONSUMER organisation Which? has slammed workshop schemes for "failing to deliver in practice" following its investigation into garage standards.

A WHICH? report has found "shocking levels of incompetence" in garages across the country following a mystery shopping investigation.

Anything that involves chucking less stuff in the bin is all the rage these days. So the chance to refurbish brake discs rather than simply replacing them is very much in fashion.

rong>Filter company Reisse is urging mechanics not to neglect regular oil filter changes. The firm is stressing the importance of regular filter changes at the same time as standard oil changes.

Euro Car Parts says that it offers consistent availability of the best brands at the most competitive prices and to help its customers increase sales, it provides more than 1,500 free display stands and 1,000 battery booster packs against specified volume purchases. It distributes premium OE brands such as Exide and Bosch and also stocks the LION brand.

rong>Two new versions of Alba’s popular brake fluid tester, a lower priced unit that switches off at 200 deg C and the ALB1200 tester which includes a printer, are included in its new diagnostics brochure.

Aston Martin has appointed Standox as a preferred supplier of paint refinish materials and services to its body repair programme.

GARAGES can receive free point-of-sale material for October's tyre safety month from charity TyreSafe.

A TOTAL of 75% of cars tested at a Camberley Auto Factors (CAF) open day needed replacement shock absorbers.

MP MARK Prisk has assured the trade that clauses within Block Exemption Regulations (BER) protecting the aftermarket will be enforced.

GSF Car Parts has issued an official denial of rumours it has sold counterfeit braking products.

PHIL Nassau has been appointed national sales manager by Snap-on Tools.

TRW was just one of the companies celebrating the World Cup with a football-themed promotion running throughout the competition. Participating TRW distributors gave away flags, caps and novelty goodies as part of the promotion for its braking range.

rong>A new retail concept from Exide based on a good, better and best sales approach aims to empower consumers to select between Classic, Excell and Premium options and boost gross margins up to 70%.

The new 10.2 software download is now available for its group of hand-held diagnostic tools, containing 73% more information that the 8.2 version back in 2008.

Those of you who have replaced an oil seal on the crankshaft of a Volkswagen or Audi engine will know it can be a tad tricky as the flywheel-end oil seal is integral with the housing and engine speed sensor, so the whole assembly needs replacing.

Parts remanufacturer Remy has announced the addition of 288 new part references to its brake caliper range, increasing the overall range to 3,300 part numbers.

VOLKSWAGEN has issued a warning about dangerous counterfeit brake pads.

THE AA is now recruiting for roadside patrol and specialist technicians and has more than 200 vacancies across the UK. The positions have arisen from a new range of 'Assist' services provided by the organisation.

Euro Car Parts has officially opened its National Distribution Centre (NDC) with a family day out for garage customers.

THE IAAF trade association says it will monitor Vauxhall's promise of lifetime car warranties for possible infringements of Block Exemption Regulations (BER).

A EUROPEAN survey is giving testers the chance to oppose a reduction in the frequency of MOTs.

The latest Launch tool is available now from Stirling-based diagnostic firm RW Motortec. As explained in the last issue of Aftermarket, the Autobook tool is a slimmed-down, easy to use version of the standard Launch X431 unit.

Trade in your old Tapley or Bowmonk mechanical decelerometer and Bowmonk will give you £50 towards a new BrakeCheck electronic brake meter, approved for all classes of vehicles including I and II.

A choice of three OE glow plugs have been launched into the aftermarket by NGK.

If you've experienced problems when making repairs to matt or silk paint finishes then you are not alone and the new 2K special matt additive from Standox could signal the end of your worries.

rong>The Klima Fresh treatment from Liqui Moly is another of the numerous air con treatments on the market.

LAUNCH UK has combined with Launch X-431 in a major change for the diagnostic market.

MICHELDEVER Tyre and Auto Services has signed-up its network of Protyre fast-fit branches to the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair.

VAUXHALL has launched the MasterFit Service Club in a bid to tempt drivers back into its dealer network.

PARTS remanufacturer Remy Automotive has been appointed an approved supplier of steering pumps and racks to the Premier Distribution Partnership (PDP) buying group.

MOBILE repairer Andy Rose has won a £250 prize as part of the Dickies UK Worker of the Year contest.

A BROCHURE explaining the new framework of rules governing the aftermarket has been published by the Right To Repair Campaign (R2RC).

Manbat says that far too often, when a battery needs to be replaced during a repair people tend to source the cheapest like-for-like replacement in order to maximise profit. We're sure Aftermarket readers are aware of the implications but in case you need to be reminded of the consequences...

Autoboss reckons it has can provide fast, easy and stress-free wheel alignment with its new remote control wheel aligner.

NGKs full range of spark plugs and diesel glow plugs for both passenger cars and LCVs can be found in the 2010 NGK catalogue.

Denso has expanded its choice of Cabin Air Filters (CAFs) in a bid to meet peak demand over the summer months. The company added a number of new Toyota and Lexus CAFs last year. Now, it has boosted the choice with 37 references covering an extra 80 applications.

The latest performance enhancement from Superchips is a dealer-fit ECU remap which supposedly increases performance on the 135i model by 49 bhp.

THE COUNTDOWN has begun to Top Technician 2011, the annual competition which recognises and rewards the best fault finders across the UK. The competition's technical partner Automotive Technician Accreditation (or ATA to its friends), is now finalising the first stage theory test, which will be available to take online from September 27th.

SARAH Sillars, executive chair of the IMI, has now raised an impressive £26,000 in sponsorship money in aid of industry charity BEN - Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund, eight weeks before she climbs the demanding Mount Kilimanjaro alongside her daughter Rachael.

MOTORISTS have voted Lenny Kravitz's Are You Gonna Go My Way as the best driving anthem of all time.

THE SEARCH for the country's best windscreen fitter has entered its final stage.

ELECTRONICS company ACtronics has launched an ABS sensor remanufacturing service.

Workshop floors have a tough time of it, being exposed to oils and chemicals and the hectic life of a busy workshop but this flooring system from TilePlans steps up to the challenge.

The Bosch eXchange programme provides a cost-effective alternative to new parts without comprising quality or guarantees and now includes new Piezo injector and common rail injectors. A total of 15 Piezo injectors for the likes of Audi, BMW and Peugeot can be found.

PARTS company boss Malcolm Rosher is cycling to the Automechanika exhibition in Germany to raise money for industry charity BEN.