The UK’s apprenticeship system needs a radical overhaul if businesses which make regular levy payments into the scheme are to be able to train new recruits using these funds, according to a new report from business group Logistics UK. According to Logistics UK’s Skills Review, there is great interest across industry to take on apprentices however, over the past five years, only 4% of levy paying … [Read more...]
14 Million motorists expected on holiday weekend roads
More than 14m drivers are set to make leisure trips this bank holiday weekend – nearly 2m more than last year, says the RAC. Saturday is expected to be the busiest ‘getaway’ day of the weekend on the roads, with the RAC’s research of 2,316 UK drivers showing as many as 3.1m separate trips are due to be taken. Friday is forecast to be the next busiest with 2.8m trips planned, followed by … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 August
A family of dodgy car dealers has been fined after admitting selling a ‘dangerous and unroadworthy’ vehicle and refusing to honour its warranty. David, Susan and James Bonner-Evans all pleaded guilty to breaching consumer protection regulations in relation to NRJ Motor Company, Bynea, Llanelli and were ordered to pay fines, costs and compensation of almost £13,000 after selling a Fiat Punto to a … [Read more...]
Call for skills feedback in garages
The Independent Garage Association is calling upon the automotive industry to provide their insights on apprenticeship opportunities within the sector. The feedback gathered will be important in lobbying for increased support and resources from government agencies to promote apprentice recruitment and training within the Automotive sector. A skilled workforce is undeniably the lifeblood of any … [Read more...]
EV complaints rising, reports troubleshooter
Motorists' complaints about electric vehicles and dealers selling them are rising, reports The Motor Ombudsman. The latest increase may be put down to a greater number of consumers getting behind the wheel of pure battery-driven models, and the cost of living crisis driving more individuals to recoup financial losses, as pressures on household budgets continue to build. The … [Read more...]
Potholes problems see more calls for RAC help
The poor condition of Britain’s local roads is laid bare today by new figures from the RAC which show its patrols went out to more than 8,100 pothole breakdowns between April and June 2023, the highest number in five years. Since the start of 2023, the RAC has dealt with 18,250 breakdowns for damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs or distorted wheels – the call-outs which are most … [Read more...]
Security tightens with independent garages
Independent garages will have to meet tough new data security measures. The Independent Garage Association has safeguarded the future of the UK independent garage sector by working with key stakeholders - UK government, Vehicle Manufacturers and Aftermarket Associations - to ensure that appropriately audited garage operators and their authorised employees will have access to Security-related … [Read more...]
RAC service plan and mobile mechanics
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...]
Van replacements extending, say AFP
Some van fleet operators are discovering that replacement cycles can be stretched to up to eight years without encountering major problems, the Association of Fleet Professionals is reporting. Paul Hollick, chair at the industry professional body, said that a range of new skills had been developed by fleet managers that were making these longer cycles operationally viable and economically … [Read more...]
Citroen, Land Rover and Tesla “least reliable” – survey
Land Rover Discovery is the most unreliable used car, motorists have told What Car? Magazine. The 2004-2017 model scored just 47.8 per cent in the 2023 What Car? Used Car Reliability Survey, of 25,000 vehicle owners. Worst brand was Citroen and its Stellantis Group stablemates Peugeot and Fiat did little better. The most reliable used car in the survey was the Honda Jazz (2015-2020) which … [Read more...]