ATS Euromaster has seen a significant increase in the volume of SMR work it is now completing, with work on brake changes up 27%, commercial vehicle servicing up 41% and the number of MOTs completed increasing by 8%. The tyre and maintenance provider believes a combination of factors is behind the increased SMR workload and is seeking about 100 employees on a rolling basis until the posts have … [Read more...]
Logistics UK backs private CV testing
Britain's transport professionals are backing a move to privatise CV testing and licensing to speed up a historical struggling Government-run system. Logistics UK has supported the move to allow Earned Recognition (ER) operators to either carry out their own MOT testing on vehicles and trailers or delegate the responsibility to their third-party maintenance provider, subject to them meeting … [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...]
Newslines 20 February
Following the positive feedback on the one-off presented in summer 2022, MINI is going ahead with a small series of all-electric MINI Convertible (power consumption combined: 17.2 kWh/62 miles according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km, Energy Consumption – 3.6 miles/kWh), representing another big step in the direction of electric mobility. "Three years ago, we launched the MINI Electric, … [Read more...]
Longer MoTs will stretch safety and push up costs, RAC
Majority of drivers believe changing the MOT to every two years is a dangerously bad idea, says the RAC. Only a fifth of drivers support recent Government proposal to change the annual MOT from every year to every two years Drivers have serious concerns about the Government’s plans to change the compulsory MOT from every year to every two years to reduce the cost of living, with many believing … [Read more...]
Softening of demand for cars is concerning
The cost of cars is by far the top priority for car-buyers as the cost of living crisis bites, according to new findings from Close Brothers Motor Finance’s Dealer Satisfaction Survey. Almost three quarters of dealers (74%) put the cost of the car at the top of the list of customer priorities when looking to buy, followed by the mileage (26%). Other priorities included extras like the sound … [Read more...]
Fleets attack “irresponsible” MoT plan
Widely-reported government plans to double MOT test intervals to two years are “irresponsible” at a point in time when fleets are lengthening replacement cycles, believes FleetCheck. Peter Golding, managing director at the fleet management software, points out that company cars and vans often cover 20-30,000 miles in a year and the MOT test acts as a valuable backstop to ensure maintenance … [Read more...]
Reducing MoT tests is dangerous & false economy
The Independent Garage Association warned the Government that reducing the frequency of MOT tests to cut costs for households is a dangerous plan that would increase costs for motorists long-term. This follows headlines that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps suggested relaxing the frequency of MOTs to every two years, rather than one, to ease the cost of living crisis. Stuart James, IGA Chief … [Read more...]
Buying & replacement cycles forever changed
Extensions forced on fleets by both the pandemic and much delayed order times for new vehicles have probably changed company car and van replacement cycles forever, reports FleetCheck. Peter Golding, managing director, said that fleets had realised that vehicles had the potential to be operated for markedly longer than had occurred in the past and had learnt a new skillset to enable this to be … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 March
The enhanced Volkswagen T-Roc, T-Roc Cabriolet and T-Roc R are available to order in the UK. A new look inside and out with more refinements mark the newcomers and start from £25,000. Volvo Cars is introducing a range of updates to its entire car line-up, the most prominent of which is an exterior refresh of its fully electric XC40 Recharge. The company also unveils a single-electric-motor … [Read more...]