The DVSA has released an update to the MOT testing guide, which explains how the scheme is run, lays out the rules for Authorised Examiners and Testers, and details the facilities and equipment a Testing Station needs.

Vehicle numbers on UK roads fell for the first time since 2009 during 2020 as the pandemic put a stranglehold on sales according to the latest motorparc data released by the SMMT. However, independent garages may welcome the fact that the average car is now more venerable than ever at 8.4 years old, putting the majority squarely in the sights of the aftermarket.

Excel Automotive Group (EAG) is proudly showing off its environmental credentials by revealing the steps it has taken to reduce its impact on the world.

Garage Buying Group (GBG) has added a number of new product groups to its growing range, including Bartec Auto ID’s core range of TPMS sensor solutions, and Champion air compressors.

A/C demand is set to spike in the weeks ahead, and following months of lockdown and under-use, LKQ Euro Car Parts says air conditioning is the next forgotten problem for garages to deal with, but is also an opportunity.

Ben’s 2021 Industry Leader Challenge (ILC) fundraiser The Climb takes place 30 October – 8 November and will see a number of automotive industry company leaders climb Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise £300,000. The charity says this year’s ILC is the biggest yet.

Getting all new cars to be zero emission from 2035 will be a “huge challenge,” with consumer buy-in and matching charging infrastructure the biggest obstacles, a House of Commons committee has said.

A virtual event intended to support apprentice mental health is taking place next month.

Ben has launched its fourth Annual Industry Survey 2021. Ben is urging those who work, or have worked, in the automotive industry, to take part in its survey which asks a range of health and wellbeing questions. Ben is also asking automotive industry employers to share the survey link with employees to encourage their people to take part.

Additives providers have been among the select business types that have seen some positive outcomes from the pandemic. Sitting at €60m, Liqui Moly sales were 60% higher in April than they were in the same month in 2020, and they were even 26% higher than in April 2019. "We have started this year with great momentum and we will continue to maintain this momentum," said. Managing Director Ernst Prost.

Following the outlining of the government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee in the Queens Speech earlier this week, IMI CEO Steve Nash, has issued an open letter highlighting ongoing inconsistences around training, apprenticeships in the automotive sector.

NGK has set up a $100m corporate venture capital fund based in Silicon Valley, with a view to accelerate the creation of new non-internal combustion engine businesses.

MOT bookings were up 160% in April compared with 2020 via BookMyGarage.com Meanwhile, overall bookings via the site, covering MOTs as well as servicing and repairs were up 130%.

Karen Rotberg, Co-Founder of BookMyGarage.com, commented “April was a real concern for garages, with four-in-five MOTs no longer due to take place as a result of the extension. With 70% of our customers booking their service at the same time as their MOT, this also caused a big drop in accompanying service and repair work.

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has published the 2021 ACEA light-duty oil sequences. The ACEA sequences identify relevant performance standards for lubricants specifically tailored to the European market. Lubricants marketers have been blending to ACEA sequences produced in 2016, but after work began in 2018, the new automotive engine oil sequences for light-duty vehicles have now been released.
According to ACEA, the new sequences have been published in order to address engine developments that are being driven by a combination of regulatory and performance needs, complemented by necessary test maintenance requirements.

Prevailing lockdown conditions during the first part of the year helped push the used car market down by 8.9% during the first quarter of 2021, the latest figures from the SMMT have revealed.

Long-term independent garage sector champion Colin Parlett has stepped down from the RMI Board after more than 30 years.

With DVSA figures indicating that 1.86m cars are on the road without a valid MOT certificate resulting from the MOT exemption, NGK is urging garages to be prepared for the worst when these vehicles do eventually get sent in for their test, with emissions issues likely to loom large.

Borg Automotive, which is part of the Danish industrial conglomerate Schouw & Co, has bought SBS Automotive. The addition of SBS Automotive is part of an ongoing growth strategy which began last year with the acquisition of the Spanish turbo remanufacturer Turbo Motor Inyección (TMI).

Automechanika Frankfurt in its full form has been offically postponed to 2022 due to ongoing international travel Coronavirus restrictions. In its place, Automechanika Frankfurt Digital Plus will take place largely online between 14-16 September, with a smaller presence on the trade fair grounds in Germany.

Ben is launching an exciting new active challenge, Move4Ben, starting on 1 June and running through until 30 June. To take part, participants set a personal challenge in terms of distance and exercise type and commit to raising £100, enough to pay for two mental health counselling sessions.

The reopening of new car showrooms in April led to a massive jump in car sales during the month compared with the same period in 2020, although overall volumes were still 12.9% lower than the 10 year average.141,583 new cars were sold during the month, according to the latest figures from the SMMT, released today (Wednesday 5 May). This was 30 times more than were sold during April 2020 at the start of the first lockdown, when just 4,321 cars were registered.

Garage Buying Group (GBG) has introduced Autonoe engine oils, the second major product launch in as many weeks.

The IAAF has appointed Mark Field as its new Chief Executive, succeeding Wendy Williamson who is retiring later this year.

Castrol has launched a new Branded Mobile Mechanic programme. In addition to Castrol-branded workwear and vehicle decals, independent mobile mechanics joining the programme will be offered digital marketing support, online training and access to lubricants.

Ben Ball is roaring back for 2021 and will be held at the Roundhouse in Camden on Wednesday 8 December, following a break in 2020 due to COVID-19.

25 pairs of Goodwood Festival of Speed VIP tickets are up for grabs through an online promotion being run by LKQ Euro Car Parts on its range of Shell oil.

Financial considerations may be taking over from environmental concerns as the main incentive for buying an electric vehicle, with charging also shifting away from the home, a new poll suggests.

Self-driving vehicles on British have come a step closer with the Department for Transport announcing today (28 April 2021) that vehicles fitted with Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) will be allowed on UK roads later this year.

Drivetrain faults caused the majority of service and repair disputes submitted by consumers to The Motor Ombudsman’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service during the first quarter of 2021.

Snap-on has issued a new software release for its range of diagnostic platforms just in time for Spring. The release offers new coverage and features, as well as exclusive expert information enhancements.

New guidance on how to report a MOT tester or garage suspected of fraud has been published by DVSA.

A new e-commerce trade website for garages has launched. The initial focus for Garage Buying Group will be on selling Harp International’s range of refrigerants during summer, with what would usually be members-only lower prices until the end of June for all customers.

As the UK heads out of lockdown, WAI UK is looking to help businesses open safely through the use of its new Steri-7 Electric Atomiser. The tool can sanitise vehicles, and can also be used in offices, and atomises sanitising liquid into a fine spray to prevent the soaking of surfaces and provide even distribution.

1.86 million cars may be on the roads illegally as a result of owners ignoring the fact that the MOT Exemption relating to their car has expired, and that they need a test urgently.

A dedicated version of TechMan’s GMS system is being offered to members of the First Stop fast-fit network, and will be part of the network’s plan to grow to 220 UK centres by 2024.

With the DVSA’s MOT connectivity roll-out back on from 1 May as emissions analysers become the latest product group required to be connectable going forward, equipment providers will be keen to make sure garages have plenty of choice when they need to upgrade.

The MOT Annual Training deadline is just nine days away, and the IMI is warning that if more techs don’t get it done before 30 April, then garages that are already suffering because the Exemption shifted Spring tests into the Autumn could end up shut out of the system by DVSA, resulting in income dropping even further.

Motul has entered into a new multi-year partnership as Official Lubricant Partner with Silverstone Classic.

The roll-out of connected MOT equipment by DVSA is continuing, with emissions analysers the latest equipment type requiring connectivity going forward. From 1 May, anyone buying an exhaust gas analyser or diesel smoke meter will need to make sure it is a model that can connect to the MOT testing service. This applies to garages replacing equipment, Authorised Examiners taking over another site and any new garage receiving approval to carry out MOTs.

The roll-out of connected MOT equipment by DVSA is continuing, with emissions analysers the latest equipment type requiring connectivity going forward. From 1 May, anyone buying an exhaust gas analyser or diesel smoke meter will need to make sure it is a model that can connect to the MOT testing service. This applies to garages replacing equipment, Authorised Examiners taking over another site and any new garage receiving approval to carry out MOTs.

More than 3,000 vehicle technicians, service advisors and garage owners have now undertaken TechMan’s training and support programme, which is taken by businesses following the implementation of its garage management system.

Organisers of the British Motor Show say they have seen seen a massive increase in ticket sales as lockdown continues to ease and families start planning their summer activities

Autoinform Live 2021 is now on course to take place on Saturday 6 November and Sunday 7 November at the GTG Training Academy in Wolverhampton, OESAA has annnounced

FIL Filter has joined the Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA).

With the reopening of non-essential retail permitted from today (Monday 12 April), the franchised dealer sector has swung its showroom doors back open across much of the UK. To help businesses welcome customers back new updated sector-specific guidance has been published by the NFDA and the SMMT.

Motul has been named as the official lubricants partner to the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost. The agreement, which sees Motul join the series’ technical team of Neil Brown Engineering and Ford Performance, will see the brand’s high-performance 300V oil used across all race engines during the 2021 season.

Research suggests that drivers will be looking for garages to offer greater flexibility in how they pay for servicing and repairs post-lockdown.

Today (Thursday 8 April) is Global Remanufacturing Day 2021, and ZF Aftermarket is celebrating by looking to highlights its reman output. Under its portfolio which includes Sachs and TRW, ZF Aftermarket remanufactures a wide range of components from transmissions and clutches, through to parts for braking, steering and axle systems, for cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles.

LKQ Euro Car Parts has launched a new range of batteries, with a view to helping independent garages service vehicles with Stop/Start systems and high energy requirements.The ERA range features five enhanced flooded batteries (EFB) and five absorbed glass mat batteries (AGM), which, combined, cover 95% of the UK’s Stop/Start market.

Competition in the MOT market continues to ramp up, with GoCompare customers who purchase car insurance between now and 15 June being given the opportunity to book a MOT test for just £10 through WhoCanFixMyCar.com.