SUBSCRIPTION to the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair should be mandatory for all MOT testing stations, parliament has been told.

Coolants are heading down the same application-specific route as lubricants according to Comma.

THE RATE of business insolvencies in the automotive industry dropped by 53% between October 2008 and October 2009, according to the latest figures from data provider Experian.

PARTS distributor Andrew Page plans to open branches in Leicester and Coventry during 2010, the company has confirmed.

TRAINING alliance Exponentia has a full line-up of courses ready for 2010, to give technicians around the country the latest knowledge.

This integrated lift and trailer does exactly what it says on the tin and could prove particularly useful for mobile mechanics and for garages offering breakdown and recovery services.

FREE tickets to the Workshop 2010 exhibition and Commercial Vehicle Operator Show are available now.

What's the betting James Bond has one of these in his garage?

A NATIONAL academy has launched to develop skills with the automotive glazing sector.

This resistance-welding machine claims to be capable of welding any on-board non-alloy metal.

MULTIPART has confirmed its commitment to supplying parts for LDV vans after being taken over by Indian automotive firm TVS Group.

rong>If you missed this dinky gadget the first time it appeared in Aftermarket, here’s a second look in tribute to the fact it’s been nominated for an Automobile Innovation award at the Equip Auto exhibition in Paris.

/>The programme was broadcast last night (Monday 23rd November) after months of filming and testing involving young mechanics from throughout the

Cars fitted with air con systems are probably also packed with 'orrible mould and germs too.

THE MOTOR Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair has turned to Unipart for expertise in improving its relationship with independent garages.

This bulb claims to produce an impressive 100% more light than a standard headlamp unit.

A BBC search for the country's best young mechanic will be broadcast this Monday (23rd November).

Like a moisturising face cream for your batteries, this unit aims to recondition and rejuvenate.

/>The shims fit between the engine block and the cylinder head to give engines a fresh lease of life after a blown head gasket. Where the cylinder head is warped or damaged for example, machining may leave thicknesses outside the manufacturer’s original recommended toleran

A TOP-of-the-range laptop computer is the latest prize up for grabs as part of the Top Technician contest.

BEHR Hella Service is set to offer coolant radiator, intercooler and oil cooler products for Audi, VAG and Mercedes vehicles.

This welding system aims to help you reach the parts other welders can't.

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) will stop using its Automotive Skills brand in a bid to make its role at the centre of automotive skills development more obvious.

Suspension spheres are just one of the parts in Monroe's complete range of replacement parts.

SERVICE plans will be a major source of profit during 2010 as dealers look to keep more maintenance work in-house, says The Warranty Group.

Without secure hose joints, even the best cooling systems are going to come unstuck. Gillingham-based firm L Robinson makes hose clips and is the only company legally allowed to use the Jubilee brand name.

EURO CAR PARTS will present the winner of Top Technician next April with a Brain Bee all-makes diagnostic tool worth over £2,000. This product impressed Aftermarket's workshop so much during a Test bench review, they didn't want to give it back!

THE COUNCIL'S tasks will include attracting investment and funding for the research and development of new technology, identifying gaps in the supply chain and updating existing manufacturing facilities.

Is it a motorcycle helmet? No, it's the latest piece of eye-catching packaging from Osram.

THE INSTITUTE of the Motor Industry (IMI) has been re-appointed as a Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the retail motor  industry.

rong>The company’s fleet management system can now alert staff that their vehicle is about to enter the London Congestion Zone.

A new catalogue lists more than 100 new exchange parts in the company's rotating electrics range.

HELLA'S programme is a marketing and technical support scheme for independent garages. A high proportion of these in the UK specialise in air con servicing and repair - a rising number are electrical and electronic repairers.

If you need to remove or install lower ball joints on a BMW E36 3 series then this kit could be just the ticket.

THE COMPANY has come across a number of basic errors on measuring systems recently after recalibration had been carried out, supposedly to PAS 125 standards, as part of a full bodyshop service.

One for the engine re-builders, this additive helps protect the camshaft and valve train during the running-in period.

Following a decision earlier this year, the company now supplies the independent aftermarket with a wide range of out-of-warranty BMW, Jaguar and Land Rover parts.

rong>It’s not just summertime that brings out the worst in cooling systems. Lack of maintenance means problems crop up in winter too, says Design Engineering.

Just Car Clinics has become the UK’s second largest independent collision repair chain after acquiring branches in Redditch and Stourbridge.  

According to Corteco, the main cause of clutch leakage is wear of the engine-side and gearbox-side seals.

DEALERS are no longer able to meet the stringent standards set by manufacturers, according to industry consultancy Network Automotive.

XPART has become the first UK distributor for Suplex coil springs.

rong>This latest addition to the Laser range is for repairers who remove or install self-adjusting clutches fitted to BMW, VAG, Mercedes, Volvo, Renault and Vauxhall vehicles.

THE 'OBD Log' diagnostic data recorder from Texa has taken top spot in the Equip Auto Grands Prix for Automotive Innovation.

rong>Whether you want to keep track of pressures to optimise fuel economy and carbon savings, or lap times round a race track, this pressure gauge could prove useful for motorists of almost every type.

The Vibro impact glow plug remover kit uses vibration to loosen seized glow plugs. It removes the risk of breaking plugs and damaging cylinder heads in the process of removing 8, 10 and 12mm plugs.

A QUARTER of company car drivers have never checked their tyre tread depths, according to a survey by safety charity TyreSafe.

TOOL firm Sealey has revealed a potential safety issue with the 230-12V power transformer supplied with its LED2105 rechargeable inspection lamp.

CORPORATE support for the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair is growing as leading trade associations publicly offer their backing to the garage scheme.