October 2021

W ith vehicles having been often neglected for many months, tyres across the country will need replacing. Don’t rule yourself out of this opportunity by not being prepared. Many cars have been idle for long periods during the last eighteen months and, while that might mean less tyre tread wear, Mark Berryman, Managing Director of ISN Garage Assist was keen to point out that this does not mean the opportunity for tyre sales and associated services has reduced: “Anyone with a caravan that stands idle throughout the winter months will testify to the degradation that can happen to your tyres – and we’re not just talking pressure loss. “Research from Highways England indicated recently that just one in six drivers remembered to check their tyres before setting off on a long journey. This statistic sits in stark contrast to the fact that one in five motorway breakdowns are caused by worn or incorrectly inflated tyres. The study also showed that almost one in three drivers admitted that they are not confident when checking tyre pressures.” Then there is the issue of tyre pressure management systems (TPMS). Mark commented: “Since November 2014, it’s been mandatory that all new passenger vehicles sold in the EU be equipped with a tyre pressure monitoring system and since then, over 14 million new cars have been sold. When you include all the cars that were fitted with TPMS well before that date, we’re talking around half 48 AFTERMARKET OCTOBER 2021 TYRES AND TYRE BAY www.aftermarketonline.net Offering tyre services allows you to open up a valuable income steam at a time when every penny coming in really counts TYRE A LITTLE HARDER the entire UK car parc. Add to that the fact that far fewer people wash their own cars these days, a time when you’d notice tyre problems, and it’s hardly surprising that drivers have become a little lazy when it comes to checking their tyres. So why not offer a simple, free, tyre pressure check and inflation service to your customers? It only takes a couple of minutes and it gives you the chance to check for tread wear, alignment and suspension issues, or general tyre damage. These are all potential additional revenue streams, and a service that anyone would appreciate.” Mark added: “Whether you’re an established tyre dealer looking to replace or upgrade a tyre changer, wheel balancer or wheel alignment equipment, an independent mechanical garage considering moving into tyres, or a technician setting up a mobile service, the team at ISN Garage Assist will have a solution that meets every requirement and every budget. ISN Garage Assist combines the strengths of equipment brands Hofmann Megaplan, Atlas Platinum, Atlas Equipment and Redback by Unite, with installation services, scheduled service & maintenance plans and an emergency breakdown facility to get you back up and running, should the unexpected happen.” For more information, visit: www.garage- assist.com Practical solution Getting properly kitted out is key. Commenting on the new