Less than a fifth of drivers feel prepared for dealing with a vehicle emergency, a new survey from Go.Compare Car Insurance has revealed. The insurance comparison site asked UK motorists whether they feel equipped for a car maintenance emergency, but shockingly, the majority of motorists did not think they were, with 82% stating as such. Men claim to feel better prepared for a car emergency, as … [Read more...]
Servicing boost follows ageing cars and vans
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...]
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...]
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...]
Use your car less and drive up bills and trouble
Cutting down on your car use and mileage might be a false economy in the long run, according to Vertu Motors. Cars provide convenience and freedom to motorists, but, with the current pinch on the cost of living, many Brits may be looking to cut down their mileage to save money. However, the experts at Vertu Motors have warned that car owners still need to maintain their vehicles, even if they … [Read more...]
Call for urgent open-sourcing of vehicle data
Pressure is mounting to compel vehicle makers to put technical data into an open source. A unique and broad alliance of consumer groups, automotive suppliers, leasing and rental industries, aftermarket operators, vehicle dealers, authorised and independent workshops, data publishers, and insurers have joined forces to call on Commissioner Thierry Breton to urgently bring forward long-planned … [Read more...]
Safety and higher emissions issues from older vehicles
A time-bomb in safety and environmental issues is on our roads. With a shortage of new cars and cost of switching to electric vehicles holding back sales, the average age of the UK car park has risen to 8.7 years. That's a rise of 12 months in the last decade and with the brakes on new business and models coming through it is believed the average age might soon exceed 10 years, the oldest it has … [Read more...]
Breaking the EV myth of franchise dealers
The idea that franchise dealers are required more for electric vehicle service, maintenance and repair than their internal combustion engine counterparts is a “myth”, shows new research from epyx. Statistics taken from its 1link Service Network platform, used to manage SMR for more than four million company vehicles largely operated by leasing companies, show hardly any difference in the … [Read more...]