Hard-up Welsh drivers are the most likely in Britain to do their own servicing, they have told the RAC. Cost-of-living pressures have forced almost a quarter of drivers (23%) to either put off getting their vehicles serviced or do it themselves with or without the help of a friend or family member, a new survey of 2,000 UK drivers by the RAC has found. While 10% have postponed their next car … [Read more...]
Use your car less and drive up bills and trouble
Cutting down on your car use and mileage might be a false economy in the long run, according to Vertu Motors. Cars provide convenience and freedom to motorists, but, with the current pinch on the cost of living, many Brits may be looking to cut down their mileage to save money. However, the experts at Vertu Motors have warned that car owners still need to maintain their vehicles, even if they … [Read more...]
Call for urgent open-sourcing of vehicle data
Pressure is mounting to compel vehicle makers to put technical data into an open source. A unique and broad alliance of consumer groups, automotive suppliers, leasing and rental industries, aftermarket operators, vehicle dealers, authorised and independent workshops, data publishers, and insurers have joined forces to call on Commissioner Thierry Breton to urgently bring forward long-planned … [Read more...]
Testing time runs out for MoT change view
A split is developing over the Government’s proposal to extend the first MoT Test from three to four years. Consultation on the proposal ends tomorrow night. The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has responded to the Department for Transport’s (DfT) consultation proposing changes to the MOT frequency and other MOT enhancements. Stuart James, IGA Chief Executive said, “As the voice of the … [Read more...]
Safety and higher emissions issues from older vehicles
A time-bomb in safety and environmental issues is on our roads. With a shortage of new cars and cost of switching to electric vehicles holding back sales, the average age of the UK car park has risen to 8.7 years. That's a rise of 12 months in the last decade and with the brakes on new business and models coming through it is believed the average age might soon exceed 10 years, the oldest it has … [Read more...]
ATS ramp up EV skills training & service
The ATS Euromaster network of tyre and maintenance centres has been upskilled to ensure technicians can work on both hybrid and electric vehicles safely. Technicians have been trained in line with industry standards, set by IMI, as part of a phased roll out by the tyre service and maintenance provider. This ensures it can meet the challenge of working on both vehicle types safely, in … [Read more...]
We’re keeping cars longer and going further, says Co-op
Co-op Insurance has revealed that British motorists are quite literally in it for the long haul when it comes to their cars. Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency reveal that over nine million vehicles – more than one in five of the 40.3 million on the road today – has over 100,000 miles on the clock. Data from the insurer also shows that the average age of cars it now insures … [Read more...]
Fleet budgets challenged as hires are extended
Service, maintenance and repair budgets are being severely challenged as fleets are forced to run vehicles for longer, with no end in sight to the immediate lack of vehicle availability due to the semiconductor crisis. According to tyre and maintenance provider ATS Euromaster, both fleets and leasing companies are having to juggle new car availability against extended rentals and increased … [Read more...]
Plan not to fail in new business world, say Arval
Fleets should allocate time to plan ahead in 2022, when it comes to vehicle orders, rentals, and service, maintenance and repair needs, to help beat vehicle and parts shortages, Arval UK is advising. As the impact of the pandemic and semiconductor shortages continue a forward-looking approach will help the fleet and mobility company to make sure that it can secure volumes of new vehicles for its … [Read more...]
Vans will have to carry more miles, warn ATS Euromaster
Fleets will need to keep their new vans in service for longer than planned because of the component shortages affecting vehicle production across the board from cars to heavy trucks. With van production slowed or suspended thanks to lack of microprocessor chips, lack of available product means fleets will not be able to replace vehicles that would normally be de-fleeted during the coming … [Read more...]