April 2021

us via email, copying us in. The DVSA came back and said ‘that looks like you’ve got tape there in that bit’, so we duly took that up and painted it as he requested.” Checks Next came the need for the DVSA to sign off on the new ATL. Nick said: “At this point, Chris was even knowledgeable about the change in procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He informed us how the DVSA don’t just come out on a spot- check, they have to fill out another form, we have to take pictures, and then send them in along with the calibration certificate.” It went fast, Chris observed: “They tell you they are going to come and visit the site, it will be at this time on this date. Then, on the day Nick phoned me and said ‘the DVSA has been and gone!’ I replied ‘what do you mean they’ve been and gone?’ I was then told ‘it felt like he was here 20 minutes. There were no problems - he was that happy.’” Nick concluded: “The inspector already had the photographs and documentary evidence all laid out, everything was there. He only had to confirm what he had already seen, measure the bits he hadn’t seen, and then tick that off. It would be fair to say that Chris project-managed it for us from start to finish. That was a real bonus. Due to his experience, the DVSA’s job was much easier and it was much less stressful for us.” APRIL 2021 AFTERMARKET 51 www.aftermarketonline.net the business. We then went in and, had a chat with him.” Nick had previously been working with another company, but was unhappy with the way things were being handled and had found out that his DVSA VT01 had been rejected. Chris said: “They had already done the DVSA VTO1 application, and submitted that, but things were not going well. That application had been rejected in fact.” Support Cotes Heath Testing Centre co-owner Nick Thompson commented: “In 2016, my business partner and I started Morfield Vehicle Services at Cotes Heath, which is based in the unit next door. One of our main goals was to put a MOT lane in there, but when we looked at it, it was easier to set-up an all-new MOT station, which is why we set up Cotes Heath Testing Centre as a separate business. “We started the process last year. We made an application for our new testing lane, but we weren’t getting anywhere, because basically I was incorrectly filling in the paperwork. We had started the process with another supplier, but weren’t getting the help I needed. When Chris came down and said ‘I can help you with that’ – that was exactly what I needed and so I grabbed the chance!” At this point, Chris really took the bull by the horns on behalf of Snap-on. He said: “I spoke to him about our equipment and what we could do for him, and explained how we could help him navigate his way through the DVSA process to get approved. Nick and his business partner decided the route they wanted to take and once an agreement was made, things moved quickly from there. I helped to arrange the financing documentation, met his builder on-site, marked the floor, enabling the builder to do the ground work. Once the ground work was completed then the equipment was installed as planned and on time.” Nick observed: “When Chris came in with the assistance, and a competitive quote, the decision to go with Snap-on was easy to make.” On-site From then it all went through very smoothly, with the equipment delivered the day before the scheduled installation, as planned. Nick continued: “Chris visited several times while the builders were on-site, checked the measurements for the recess for the ramp, things that could cause a real nightmare. The support we got from Snap-on was unbelievable. I would not recommend any other company but Snap-on. That was reflected in the fact that we had zero problems with the Section D because everything was absolutely right in the first place.” Once it was installed, the support continued: “Chris came back again then to check we put the lines down in the right place etc and that everything was as it should be. He then helped us photograph all the calibration certificates, the key codes, and everything we needed to complete the Section D. He took loads of photographs inside the building, and then sent that off to the DVSA for Follow us on facebook. facebook.com/ aftermarketmagazine