Almost half of MOT testers have yet to undertake their annual training, with the deadline only a few weeks away, the DVSA has warned.

A ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles could come even sooner than expected, with government now saying it intends to bring the deadline forward to 2035 – or even earlier if possible.

The Parts Alliance has entered into partnership with Petronas Lubricants International (PLI) to supply its Syntium range of oil into the UK aftermarket.

Electric cars and new vehicle tech continued to capture the worldwide imagination as 2020 began. Both were the focus of attention at the CES electronics show, held in Las Vegas last month. While Sony surprise-launched its own prototype car at the show, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the Vision AVTR (Advanced Vehicle Transformation), created in conjunction with the team behind the film AVATAR.

Garages could see EV numbers grow following the announcement that government funding for the installation of chargepoints on residential streets will double to £10 million in 2021.

Snap-on has launched a new UK YouTube channel. Videos featured on the channel include in-depth platform training modules as well as the Diagnostic Quick Tips series.

Ben is increasing and enhancing its range of digital services for automotive industry people seeking support with mental health and wellbeing issues including stress, anxiety and depression.

Motorists continued to hold onto their existing cars last year, with the latest figures showing that new car sales were down 2.4% in 2019. The high degree of political and economic uncertainty is being seen as the likeliest cause.

Euro Car Parts has returned to Top Technician and Top Garage, becoming a sponsor for the 2020 competitions. 

2019’s Ben Ball, held at the Roundhouse, helped raise over £87,000 for Ben last week.

Textar has launched a new anti-counterfeit safety seal for its packaging.

 A court case where directors from Klarius were due to standing trial for selling non-type-approved emissions products was thrown out by the Judge at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 3 December).

Ben has launched its latest Industry Survey to ask the automotive community about the biggest health and wellbeing challenges they face.The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and is confidential and anonymous.

The British Motor Show is returning in 2020, with an all-new venue and organising committee. Based at Farnborough International, Hampshire, the show sees the return of a national British Motor Show that will include all the traditional elements, but also a number of new, live and interactive features.

Unigloves has launched an enhanced version of its website.   unigloves.co.uk features information on its range of nitrile, latex and hybrid disposable gloves. Updates include 360° spin images, product comparison feature and where to buy, in addition to product-specific technical and performance data. The new site also allows users to request free samples, find out about its glove audit service and access resources such as an industrial glove glossary.

The aftermarket team at Delphi Technologies has been busy raising money for Myton Hospice in Warwick, a charity dedicated to helping terminally ill people and their families. This year the company donated more than £4,000 thanks to a combination of monthly contributions from staff salaries and dedicated company events, such as afternoon teas.

 The IGA has produced an all-round ADAS guide for its membership.

 Garages can take advantage of significant Black Friday discounts today (29 November) with Denso, as the manufacturer has cut prices on six websites.

New figures from the SMMT show that if the UK faced trade tariffs following Brexit, the result would decimate UK car manufacturing, with 1.5 million vehicles lost by 2024 at a cost of £42.7 billion.

Bosch is buying Unipart Group’s workshop programmes in the UK, for an undisclosed price.

The Motor Ombudsman has launched a new search facility on its Garage Finder to allow drivers to easily find and identify accredited businesses that service and repair electric vehicles.

 HELLA has released the 2020 edition of its workshop calendar, which features images of a variety of garages around the globe.

 Klarius was recently presented with a manufacturing excellence award from the Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA).

Comline recently welcomed the 10,000th follower to its Facebook page, part of the brand’s overall social media community growth, which has increased by 700% over the last nine months.

A coalition of European trade federations representing groups including independent garages, parts distributors and component and equipment suppliers has published a manifesto urging the European Commission to legislate to assure fair remote access to in-vehicle date and functional resources.

The first REPEXPERT Academy LIVE training day is set to take place on Saturday 16 November at Lincoln College. Spaces are still available, but techs are urged to book now to avoid disappointment. Doors open at 9.30am, and the day runs until 4pm.

TRICO and MAFCO Autobar have teamed up for their annual Cash in for Christmas campaign.  

Decelerometers are the next equipment type that will need to be able to connect directly to the MOT testing service when being replaced.

 Northampton-based independent garage In Town Automotive has seen one of its young techs named as Apprentice of the Year at the SME Northamptonshire Business Awards.

Top Garage 2020 begins its run today (Friday 1 November). Following last year’s amazing competition, thousands of businesses are expected to take part. Those who go through the various rounds will face a number of online tasks, which culminate in a live final on Saturday 20 June 2020.

The DVSA is aiming to make security checks for MOT garage owners and managers simpler via DBS checks. From 1 November, anyone applying to be an authorised examiner (AE) or authorised examiner designated manager (AEDM) will need to have a basic DBS check. This verifies identity and checks for unspent convictions.

NGK’s MO70 Dragmower has made a sensational track debut at Santa Pod Raceway – recording a top speed of 115.53mph.

ZF Aftermarket has been named Automotive Aftermarket Parts Manufacturer of the Year at the Irish Auto Trade Awards for the second year in a row.

Comline named as A1 Component Supplier of the Year 2019 Comline has been named 'Component Supplier of the Year’ by A1 Motor Stores, the third time they have won the title.  The latest award, which was presented at A1’s gala evening in Newcastle, completes a hat trick for the brand who have previously secured title in 2016 and 2017.

Thatcham Research has today (Friday 25 October) launched IMI-accredited ADAS calibration training, designed to close what it classifies as an emerging skills gap. Since the publication of its ‘Managing vehicle repairs involving ADAS’ document in May, Thatcham Research has been engaged in industry consultation with industry associations and bodies, including the IMI, SMMT, BVRLA, NBRA and IGA.

“It is vital that the government agrees a Brexit deal with the EU. If it cannot, then prices will rise as a result of the import tariffs that will be paid on vehicles and parts. It is in everyone’s interests that a future trade deal between the UK and EU removes these tariffs,” said RMI Chairman Peter Johnson, speaking at this year’s RMI  Annual Dinner in London last night (10 October 2019).

Ben has launched a Critical response service with a view to support employers and their employees during times of crisis.

NGK and British drag racing champion Andy Robinson are keeping their fingers crossed for fine weather for the first official track debut of NGK’s Racing Lawnmower MO70 today (Friday 4 October 2019) at Santa Pod Raceway.

MOT testing stations buying a roller brake tester must now make sure it is a model that can connect to the MOT testing service, the DVSA has reminded garages.

Top Technician 2020 is launching today (Tuesday 1 October 2019). Those who wish to enter to test their skills in the competition should go to www.aftermarketonline.net/toptechnician and then select “enter here”.

Euro Car Parts has announced the launch of a year-long partnership with automotive industry charity Ben, through a massive national relay challenge covering 2,500km across the country in just five days.

TechMan has joined the top-draw names that are aligning with Top Technician and Top Garage 2020 as it becomes a headline sponsor for the competitions.

VARTA is the latest high-profile name to become a sponsor of Top Technician and Top Garage 2020.

Snap-on has signed up with Top Technician and Top Garage 2020, becoming the first sponsor put its full support behind the two competitions for 2020.

Hella Gutmann Solutions (HGS) and online car repair marketplace WhoCanFixMyCar.com have teamed up to provide motorists with a pointer for diagnostic solutions.

Snap-on is offering a new seminar about ADAS. The event is accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and gives attendees an overview of ADAS and how the various systems must now be considered part of their everyday work.

Lumileds has launched a new series of videos, presented by its brand ambassador, Andy Savva, a.k.a The Garage Inspector, to highlight the Philips automotive and workshop lighting offering, explain how technicians can stay safe and profitable in the workplace, as well as offer more safety and comfort to their customers.
 
Throughout the five-part series, recently premiered on its YouTube channel – Philips Automotive Lighting Europe – Andy offers technical and business advice, such as how upselling and upgrading headlight bulbs can be a healthy revenue stream, as well as explain how technicians should always change headlight bulbs in pairs and offer a free headlight check to motorists.
 
In addition, Andy shows how Lumileds is keeping technicians safe and productive in the workshop with its range of Philips professional workshop lamps.
 
Lumileds Business Development Manager Automotive – UK and Ireland, Richard Armstrong, said: “These videos are going to prove useful for both technicians and our distributors, as they provide in-depth information about what Philips can offer, not just in terms of using our products in the workplace, such as professional workshop lamps, but also selling our range of headlight bulbs to end-users.
 
“We’re grateful to Andy, someone who is at the top of his profession and well-qualified to explain the quality of our products, for collaborating with us to launch these videos – someone that technicians around the UK and Ireland will know well. His experience has proved invaluable to us, and we look forward to working with him in future projects.”
 
To find out more: www.philips.com/automotive

Primalec has announced its refrigerant sealants range is now being produced in the UK. The on-shoring process for Airco Seal Pro, the micro leak repair system for air conditioning refrigerants, is now complete. The company says this will  lead to a shorter and more reliable supply chain.

DENSO is rewarding its distributors by creating the DENSO Club, an initiative that offers customers the opportunity to win trips to either DENSO’s global headquarters in Japan or diesel factory in Budapest.