More than eight out of 10 (84%) used car buyers would back a controversial Government idea to switch to two years between MOT tests. The new monthly Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 69% of this group believe their car would remain safe despite the longer gap. Saving money appears to be less of a factor behind their thinking, mentioned by only 16% of those in favour. Of the 16% of people who … [Read more...]
Tradelines 1 June
Using FOI requests to 50 UK councils, Rivervale Leasing has investigated 21,106 vehicles reported abandoned during 2021 to find out the most common and where this is happening most frequently. The Ford Transit was the most commonly abandoned vehicle by a long way but the top dumped car compared to their total registrations was the Suzuki Vitara and in Wales the survey showed Swansea had the … [Read more...]
Experts to outline challenges facing repair sector
Leading automotive research and training provider Thatcham Research is the latest organisation to join the 150-strong roster of influential speakers and training experts at the inaugural UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, held at Birmingham’s NEC on 8 & 9 June. Thatcham Research will be talking about, and demonstrating, the most dynamic changes affecting the body repair sector in the last 50 … [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...]
Plan and save on van costs
Taking a proactive stance on van maintenance measures can save fleets valuable downtime, according to ATS Euromaster. The tyre service and maintenance provider says fleets are placing vehicles under critical stress as assets are virtually in constant use. Known as ‘double-shifting’, fleets are using one van for two driver shifts in order to meet the increasing demand for home delivery that has … [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...]
Newslines 25 February
The number of fatalities in road accidents where the driver was over the drink drive limit slightly decreased in 2020 to 220 - down from 230 the previous year, said AlcoSense. Provisional from the Department for Transport estimate a total of 6,480 people were killed or injured in drink drive accidents, compared with 7,800 the year before and one in 20 of all reported crashes involved a drunk … [Read more...]
Tradelines 20 October
There was no substantial jump in the number of fleet MOT tests undertaken during September, despite warnings that deferrals made during the pandemic could lead to massive demand, new figures from epyx show. Using an analysis of information held on its 1link Service Network platform, the company says that there were almost 52,000 MOT tests carried out during the month. This is close to the just … [Read more...]
Driver shortages are just tip of logistics issues
Some 96% of UK logistics businesses are now reporting problems recruiting HGV drivers, according to results from Logistics UK’s September 2021 Performance Tracker. However, the Performance Tracker also highlighted that skills shortages are growing across the entire logistics industry, not just affecting the availability of HGV drivers. More than 13% of businesses are now reporting severe to … [Read more...]
Queues for MoT deferred tests
The country is expected to see a surge in MOT bookings this month. According to the AA, up to 5.5 million cars deferred their test last year due to the relaxation in rules caused by nationwide lockdowns. If you’re caught without a valid MOT certificate, you can be landed with a £1,000 fine. Motoring leasing company Vehicle Contracts explains the four simple checks that motorists can carry … [Read more...]