Like trashy celeb Jodi Marsh preparing for the next round of tabloid photo opportunities, the trusty BrakeCheck unit has also been given a summer facelift.

BLOCK Exemption Regulations (BER) look set to be extended until 2013, following plans announced by the EU.

It's no good reminding drivers their car needs an MOT if they promptly thank you for your advice and head off to another workshop down the road.

THE UK has the worst road pollution in Europe and exhaust company Klarius is blaming the problem on the use of non-type-approved catalytic converters.

COMPANIES looking for added overseas business could qualify for £1,000 of government funding.

AFTERMARKET expert Neil Pattemore has launched a business to help workshops get their hands on government money.

YUASA Battery is gearing up for a re-launch of its entire automotive range.

It looks like a rubbish droid from Star Wars but this blue box represents the future of tyre inflating technology.

3D wheel alignment is made possible by the use of two highly accurate cameras at each wheel and a built-in reference system.

The firm is continuing to push ahead with sales of this diagnostic unit together with the UNIProbe oscilloscope that was launched recently.

rong>This single-marque diagnostic package works on almost all BMWs from 1994 through to the present day. It is designed for use on a laptop, complete with all the necessary cables and connectors.

rong>If you’re a fan of Autodata’s technical information, this unit comes complete with an Autodata database containing details of 2,400 vehicles. The software is loaded without time-out and can be upgraded at any time.

rong>This unit records up to 3 hours of broadcast quality footage from cars and trucks onto an 8GB flashcard. It weighs just 180g and can be supplied with a range of cameras, camera mounts, remote controls and other accessories.

AROUND 75% of drivers don’t know what type of battery is fitted to their car, according to research by charging specialist CTEK.

AS THE Mini celebrates its 50th birthday, parts firm XPart is reminding garages that catering for the cars' maintenance needs is still almost as attractive as the cars themselves.

rong>The entire Add It range of treatments and additives has been re-launched with a move away from the old bright yellow packaging to a sleeker black format.

GARY Stanyon has been chosen to spearhead Bosch's campaign to boost its Car Service Network.

rong>This aligner is designed for small workshops and has a slim, lightweight construction that makes it easy to move around.

ALFA Romeo technician Sean Davidson has become the 15,000th person to achieve Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA).

rong>This tool is compatible with CAN protocols and aims to read and clear faults in the ECU for a broad range of systems.

rong>This pocket PC tool covers more than 25,000 models from 43 manufacturers and gives techs total freedom of movement thanks to Bluetooth wireless technology.

TOP TECHNICIAN 2009 Richard Perriman says he's been inundated with congratulations since scooping top spot in the hunt for the UK's best repair expert.

rong>The company’s forthcoming update will include new diagnostic applications for a variety of on-board systems. The update will include 14 different vehicle brands available between 2000 and the present day.

BOSCH is set to release the latest version of its ESI[tronic] technical information system later this summer.

This company supplies tablet PCs that give an all-in-one solution to diagnostic challenges.

rong>This unit is just one of five lifts in the new Snap-on workshop equipment range.

THE GOOD Garage Scheme (GGS) has denied rumours that a cap on membership numbers has been lifted.

rong>This tuning company has a package of upgrades to boost performance on the latest EDC17 and MED9 controlled engines, as used on the Mk 5 and Mk 6 Golf plus the new Scirocco, Eos and Tiguan.

PARTS remanufacturer Remy Automotive has introduced tamper-free packaging across its entire product range.

INDEPENDENTS have adapted faster to the recession than franchise dealers, says motor industry consultancy Network Automotive.

rong>The company has unveiled a complete suite of product catalogues for the coming year, covering everything from oil and antifreeze through to spark plugs, filters and brake pads.

VOSA has broken with tradition to give its strongest possible endorsement of the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair.

rong>Available in 12oz aerosol cans, this lubricant offers protection against friction while also dispersing water and moisture.

CODE boss Chris Mason says the trade must decide the future of the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair for itself.

GMTV money expert Martin Lewis says motorists could slash their costs by using council-run MOT centres.

rong>This book contains detailed explanations of nearly 3,000 fault codes, helping you to get to the bottom of not just what they’re called but what they mean for specific repair problems too.

THE COUNTDOWN has begun for every air con technician in the UK to pass a new EU assessment before next summer.

VOSA figures show large vans have the worst MOT pass rate of any vehicle on UK roads.

Top Technician 2008 winner Mark Banks reckons exhaust gas analysers tend to be overlooked as diagnostic tools.

This jack has an entry level of just 80mm and a maximum height of 495mm. According to Weber UK, this makes it suitable for virtually any type of car from 4x4s through to low-profile sports vehicles.

/>What’s more, it comes with two pairs of jaws up to 120mm in spring diameter. Larger jaws are available from Sykes on requ

EMPLOYERS could get easier access to government funding thanks to a new service launched by the IMI.

rong>According to Tool Connection this tool will mean applying the wrong torque to TPMS valves with sensors is a thing of the past.  Set to 4”lbs (0.45Nm), it will remove and install valve cores without damage.

rong>Lighting company Randstad is now a distributor for the German-made Narva bulbs range. It includes 6, 12 and 24V bulbs for motorcycles, vans and HGV vehicles.

UK BATTERIES is set to re-introduce three popular battery brands to the aftermarket after acquiring the Oldham, Tungstone and Crompton names.

UNIPART Automotive is officially backing the Motor Industry Service and Repair Code (MISRC) scheme.

LIGHTING giant Philips has revealed its plans to capture the UK market for replacement bulbs.

rong>A further 260 references join Delphi’s steering and suspension range, bringing the total number of part numbers to a whopping 2,990. This caters for 96% of the European parc.

rong>If your customers are too lazy to actually hold on to their polishing cloths, this new gadget is a truly novel approach to the problem.