May 2021

NEWS 6 AFTERMARKET MAY 2021 www.aftermarketonline.net Autoinform Live 2021 to take place in November Autoinform Live 2021 is now on course to take place on Saturday 6 November and Sunday 7 November at the GTG Training Academy in Wolverhampton, OESAA has announced. Following two postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, OESAA Chairman Nigel Morgan is confident that the event will finally take place: “Having had to cancel two dates already, let’s hope it’s third time lucky for Autoinform Live. I’m confident suppliers and visitors alike will be raring to go and enjoy the interaction and education that this event offers.” OE suppliers, including Schaeffler, ZF, HELLA and DENSO, as well as the newest members of the organisation – Brembo, Motul and Fil Filter – will be both training and exhibiting during the two-day event. Meanwhile, major names such as James Dillon, Frank Massey and Andy Savva are scheduled to lead live training and business seminars. For more information, visit www.autoinform.co.uk A price war in the MOT market has broken out, with fast-fits and online work providers using deep discounting to entice drivers who used 2020’s MOT Exemption to book for a test. Until 15 June, GoCompare customers who purchase car insurance are being given the opportunity to book a MOT test for just £10 through WhoCanFixMyCar.com The move comes as the number of MOTs required by drivers has dropped as a result of the 2020 MOT Exemption, effectively shifting Spring MOTs into the Autumn. Kwik Fit also recently announced that it will be offering MOTs for £19.71 through April. The mandated maximum price for MOTs is £54.85. GoCompare’s scheme sees eligible customers offered a voucher, that can be redeemed when they book a MOT via WhoCanFixMyCar.com. According to Al Preston, co-founder at WhoCanFixMyCar, the offer is intended to encourage drivers who used the Exemption to move their MOTs back to the usual date: “GoCompare were keen to offer their drivers a £10 MOT and we were unsure whether there would be appetite at that level, but the network answered, due to the large numbers of MOT deferrals caused by the first lock-down those garages opting in are happy to see the extra footfall and get these drivers back on the road.” Kwik Fit’s April promotion commemorated the 50th anniversary of the first Kwik Fit centre opening in Edinburgh in 1971. The company expected to perform around 900,000 tests during the month as a result. Roger Griggs, Communications Director at Kwik Fit, commented: “We thought we would offer MOTs at the appropriate amount of £19.71 to mark the year of our opening. There has been a lot of upheaval in the MOT system in the last twelve months, so we would encourage drivers to check their expiry date to ensure it’s still valid.” MOT price war erupts Plug-in Car Grant cut The Plug-in Car, Van and Truck Grant, which incentives buyers to opt for EVs, has been cut by a sixth, a move which has been characterized as counter- productive by the automotive sector given the 2030 goal to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars government has set itself. Since 18 March, government has provided grants of up to £2,500 for electric vehicles on cars priced under £35,000. Grants are no longer be available for higher-priced vehicles, which the DFT believes are typically bought by drivers who can afford to switch without a subsidy. The number of electric car models priced under £35,000 has increased by almost 50% since 2019 and more than half the models currently on the market will still be eligible for the grant. Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said: “The increasing choice of new vehicles, growing demand from customers and rapidly rising number of chargepoints mean that, while the level of funding remains as high as ever, given soaring demand, we are refocusing our vehicle grants on the more affordable zero emission vehicles – where most consumers will be looking and where taxpayers’ money will make more of a difference.” Commenting on the move, SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes observed: "Cutting the grant and eligibility moves the UK even further behind other markets, markets which are increasing their support, making it yet more difficult for the UK to get sufficient supply. This sends the wrong message to the consumer, especially private customers.” Follow us on Facebook @aftermarketmagazine