A survey carried out by the Independent Garage Association revealed that 88% are offering an MOT collection and delivery service for clinically extremely vulnerable and self-isolating people. The survey on behalf of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency also found 12% of garages who do not currently offer this service, two-thirds would be prepared to if the customer was vulnerable. Stuart … [Read more...]
Dearer electricity is powering garage price rises
The average independent garage charges £47.47 per hour and it’s risen less than the rate of inflation over the last eight years. A survey of 3,338 repair shops which are members of the Independent Garage Association found that this year the typical labour cost in England was £47.90, in Scotland it was £45.52, Wales worked out at £40.61 and Northern Ireland was £40.55. Inside the M25 … [Read more...]
No MoT test waiver with next lockdown
MoT tests will still be required on vehicles when the next England lockdown begins this week. In the spring, the annual safety check requirement was suspended until August but it has been reinstated and will not be waived this time. Millions of vehicles are now being dealt with and a backlog of tests has built up, so the Government didn’t want this to be repeated and has kept testing centres … [Read more...]
Garages welcome furlough proposals
The Chancellor’s update and extension to the furlough scheme allowing businesses to bring staff back to work on a part-time basis is very welcome. said Stuart James, Chief Executive of the Independent Garage Association. The IGA wrote to Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak on 29 April, requesting a partial furlough scheme that would allow employees to return to work part-time to support … [Read more...]
Garages call for continuing support after lockdown
The Independent Garage Association has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, requesting an enhancement to the furlough scheme so that employees can partially return to work as the country prepares for the next phase of lockdown restrictions. Stuart James, IGA Chief Executive said, “As businesses ready themselves for the next stage of lockdown, we are asking the Chancellor for … [Read more...]
Fuel prices rip off claim
Motorists are being ripped off by petrol companies,claims the AA has which says falling oil prices are not being reflected on forecourts. The motoring group calculates drivers are overcharged by more than £5 a tank. "Questions will be asked about the fairness of pump prices during the great oil crash of 2020," the AA said. The RAC has said the same. Bu Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol … [Read more...]
Guidance for garages seeking rates relief
The Independent Garage Association has released guidance for members on how they can appeal business rate relief from their local council. Stuart James, IGA Chief Executive said,“We have spoken with many garages throughout the escalation of the coronavirus pandemic, and access to this rate relief makes a difference to the length of time their business can survive with reduced or no income, … [Read more...]
“Fake” apprenticeships warning
The Independent Garage Association is calling for greater control of the apprenticeship levy to help reduce the shortage of skilled technicians, following statistics that suggest half of levy-funded apprenticeships are ‘fake’. The analysis by education think tank Education and Skills suggests that the majority of the levy is being put towards existing adult workers, instead of promoting the … [Read more...]
All is sometimes not what it seems – beware counterfeits
The Independent Garage Association has collaborated with the Intellectual Property Office to highlight the dangers of counterfeit and consumer supplied car parts within the IPO’s Crime and Enforcement Report 2018 – 2019. The IGA’s section of the report explains how proving the authenticity of a part can be difficult if it is not bought directly from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and … [Read more...]