July/August 2021

The ongoing impact of 2020’s MOT exemption had been laid bare in a survey that found that 74% of garages saw their business decrease in April 2021. The survey, which was performed by Impression Communications, examined the outcome of the MOT exemption, and also revealed that 48% of garages had used the furlough scheme in April. Conversely, 51% were unaware of how the government’s super deduction capital allowance could work for their business. On the subject of the DVSA’s SAFE campaign, encouraging motorists back into workshops running in April and May, just 50% of garages aware of the initiative. Looking ahead, 51% of garages said they were ‘optimistic’ about the future, with 60% predicting that staffing levels within their business would to stay the same over the next six months. Looking longer term though, just 37% of garages currently employed apprentices. Finally, on EVs, 25% of garages said they were currently trained on how to service and repair electric vehicles and a further 53% of garages were interested in embracing training on EVs. To view the full survey, go to: https://impressionuk.co.uk/wp- content/uploads/2021/05/Garage-Survey-2021-Bar-Charts.pdf For more on MOTs, turn to our feature on pages 46-49. NEWS 4 AFTERMARKET JULY/AUGUST 2021 www.aftermarketonline.net 74% of garages hit by MOT slump Book in a customer in under a minute TechMan has a released a new video to demonstrate how its GMS enables garages to book in customers in less than a minute. This efficiency has been achieved via a number of features and vehicle data integrations within its garage management system. As a result, Leo Freebairn of TechMan said the booking-in process can now be completed in under sixty seconds: “It gives service advisors more time to contact customers about advisory work and perhaps even help manage the garage’s online presence to attract new custom and reviews.” To watch the video go to: https://youtu.be/_9OX4RxKafM The sharp increase in the value of rhodium, platinum and palladium is behind a rising wave of catalytic converter thefts, with hybrids particularly targeted, and garages should be extra vigilant if they have vehicles stored overnight on-site. Palladium is currently pound-for-pound worth more than gold. This fact has pushed the price of a catalytic converter in the shadow economy to over £500. Meanwhile, Rhodium begun 2020 with a value of more than £4,000 per t oz before snowballing by 210% over the next 12 months. Hybrid vehicles are a prime target because their catalytic converters, tend to be less corroded than on petrol and diesel vehicles. The Toyota Auris, Toyota Prius, Honda Jazz and Honda Accord are reported by Leicester police to be particularly vulnerable to catalytic converter theft. Taller 4x4 vehicles are also favoured by thieves due to the converters being more accessible. Working in partnership with its catalytic converter supplier BM Catalysts, PartsinMotion .co.uk is looking to raise awareness of the problem and the resulting impact on air quality. Matt Gates of Partsinmotion .co.uk said: “Rhodium is key in reducing harmful vehicle emissions, particularly Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), so thefts from vehicles has wider complications for air quality. Replacement catalysts must also meet any relevant durability, noise and vehicle performance requirements.” Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at Stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) specialists Tracker added: “Costs can soar if the vehicle is written off by the damage caused by thieves stripping converters from the exhaust. Police forces across the UK are committed to tackling the increase in catalytic converter thefts and the organised gangs behind them.” My precious! Cat thefts boosted by rising metal prices