ATA assessments are set to become tougher following the latest review of the scheme by staff at the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

rong>The 1000 grade foam abrasive disc is designed for preparing panels for base coating and for keying alloy wheels and bumpers.

A TEXT message service to help drivers choose the right oil for their car has been launched by lubricants company Chevron.

If you want the latest hints and tips on repairing diesel cars, Frank Massey has a wide selection of options.

THE ATA scheme is set to grow faster than ever following an agreement with City & Guilds to extend the number of assessment centres.

A1 has become a stockist for the Armor All range - known throughout the US as one of the country's biggest car care brands.

PICO Technology has secured a deal to supply its oscilloscopes to Maserati's entire global dealer network.

Following the company's launch of a 1,800 bar common rail system in 1995, an improved 2,000 bar system is due for release shortly, alongside the aftermarket range of nozzles and pump components.

BOSCH has been approved by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) to deliver ATA assessments.

THE ONLINE tyre retailer Blackcircles.com is aiming to recruit 400 extra garages into its national network of fitting centres.

Two small, portable tool sets should interest mobile technicians.

ALASTAIR Peoples has been named as VOSA's permanent chief executive officer (CEO).

According to Manbat, Numax is the fastest growing battery brand in the UK thanks to its value for money and relationship with OEM supplier JCI (VARTA).

rong>This kit contains dummy injectors and glow plugs to offer quick and effective injector leak back testing.

Tecalemit Garage Equipment has become the exclusive UK distributor for the Protech range of emission testing, diagnostic and air conditioning products.

rong>Amid all the electrical info (that your customers probably won’t understand) you could get out of a battery, this tester cuts straight to the business end.

SNAP-ON Equipment has launched a scrappage scheme for wheel aligners.

The company has proudly announced to Aftermarket that its lifts are the "greenest and most economical on the market".

ONE OF the country's largest used-car dealers has signed up all its centres to the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair.

esigned to take up the top spot in Snap-on's range of air con products, this unit boasts three features aimed at getting to the bottom of faults faster.

THE R103 regulations on catalytic converters will be enforced from day one, authorities have confirmed.

This fully automatic machine is able to recover, recycle, and recharge both oil and refrigerant all on its own, although it can be used in manual mode to check each phase if needed.

This range of performance braking products is distributed by Universal's Triple P division. Sales manager Martyn Pearson claims they give garages "a performance product at realistic prices." The discs incorporate a wear indicator groove and a black coating to prevent rust build-up.

FAI AUTOMOTIVE has opened a new headquarters, 18 months after its old building was destroyed by fire.

THE RIGHT to Repair Campaign (R2RC) has welcomed EU's proposals for the future of the car sector.

Pico Technology now gives you the option to either buy its PicoScope and build a collection of accessories as you go, or get everything in one as part of an advanced diagnostics Kit.

WORKSHOP staff can have their say on the future of EU rules governing the motor industry.

THE GARAGE sector is succeeding in its bid to improve its image with consumers, latest figures suggest.

rong>Three of the company’s NHTC (New High Temperature Ceramic) plugs are now available to the aftermarket for the first time.

REGULATIONS for replacement catalytic converters will come into force on Thursday 13th August.

BOSTON Garage Equipment has announced a special offer on 2-post lifts to help garages beat the recession.

THE AUTOMOTIVE Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme is reminding employers there is only one year to go before new European legislation regarding the handling of refrigerant gases comes into force next year.

As well as being the name of an evil superhero in the original Batman comics (the creature being more bat than man), Manbat is a company that reckons a little training could be all that's needed to boost battery sales.

The picture of this product really says it all. It's a digital gauge that will give quick measures of brake disc thickness in either metric or imperial units.

Red and yellow and pink and green; these colourful barrier coatings have sadly reminded Aftermarket of that sugary and dreadful 'I can sing a rainbow' children's song we were forced to recite at nursery school.

We don't know about you but Aftermarket got a bit confused about all those names beginning with E.

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.