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...]
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...]
Tradelines 10 May
Responding to feedback from members, the Independent Garage Association (IGA) has added a new EV Practical Fault-Finding course to its suite of high-quality, cost-effective skills training. The one-day course will focus on real-world faults that have been identified by IGA members as frequently affecting their customers’ vehicles and will be delivered at various RMI training locations, with the … [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 30 January
A petition has been launched by automotive trade bodies to stop the Government’s plans to extend the period before a vehicle has its first MOT, in order to reduce preventable casualties and deaths caused by vehicle defects. The petition created by the Independent Garages Association states the proposal would be: Dangerous: Increased casualties and deaths caused by vehicle defects; Expensive: … [Read more...]
Tradelines 19 October
The German car industry could grind to a halt over energy costs faced by component suppliers. The major motor manufacturers have taken steps to fix their energy costs but further down the supply chain the smaller parts makers are said to be struggling and facing cost increases they cannot manage so want to renegotiate terms with their customers or cease manufacturing, which could very soon stop … [Read more...]
Protection for parts supply until 2029
The Competition and Markets Authority has recommended that the existing retained Motor Vehicle Block Exemption is replaced with an updated UK-specific Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order to stay in place until 2029. “We are pleased that the CMA understands there are issues with the existing MVBER which need to be addressed for a new UK MVBEO, including access to technical and in-vehicle … [Read more...]
Indies fight for lowering energy costs
The Independent Garage Association is launching a new service to help members assess and reduce their energy costs. The Workshop Utilities Healthcheck is an audit carried out at members premises to survey their energy output and highlight areas where money could be saved. Areas covered within the audit include equipment, heating, water, lighting, insulation and employee awareness, and the … [Read more...]
Tradelines 17 August
Van insurance has increased 13.6% in the first half of 2022 for new business customers – with the more recent price jumps attributed to spiralling inflation. In the UK, the average quoted cost of van insurance is now £1,156 and all age groups have recorded double-digit increases to their motor insurance policies since the start of the year. A warning has gone out over a caller pretending to be … [Read more...]
Newslines 9 November
Drivers missed out on £2.3million of savings by not renewing their photocard driving licence using DVLA’s online service, according to the DVLA. Between April 2020 and March 2021, around 23% of the two million renewal applications it received were sent in either by post or via the post office but renewing a photocard driving licence using GOV.UK costs £14 and the driver will receive their new … [Read more...]