Aftermarket February 2023

Knock-on effects Meanwhile, the changing face of the car parc equals MOT opportunities according to HELLA Marketing Manager Helen Goldingay: “The knock-on effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, supply issues and the war in Ukraine, have all contributed to accelerate the increase in the age of the average vehicle in the UK, as people have at first been reluctant, and then restricted, in their ability to purchase a new vehicle. “However, as is often the way, what’s bad for the vehicle manufacturers is good for the aftermarket, because what tends to accompany an ageing car parc is the need for motorists to keep their cars running reliably and, in the case of increasingly strict emission targets, also able to conform with, and pass, these higher MOT standards. Although government legislation has meant that higher standards need to be met for a vehicle to pass its exhaust emissions test during the MOT, motorists are also keen for their vehicle to provide them with the best return, in terms of fuel economy, which comes as a direct result of compliance with these emission targets. Workshops therefore have a huge part to play in ensuring these standards are met, so the onus is on them to ensure they fit replacement engine management parts of matching specifications to the OE components, fitted by the VMs. HELLA is a trusted OE supplier of a multitude of electronic components, which include air mass sensors, EGR valves, fuel feed units and pumps, ignition coils, speed sensors and wheel speed sensors.” Helen added: “To handle everyday service and repair work, as well as MOT testing, workshops also need the best in terms of diagnostic tooling and calibration equipment. The Hella Gutmann range of workshop equipment has all the bases covered.” Evolution As Malc England, Marketing Manager at Tecalemit Garage Equipment observed, the MOT has travelled a long way: “Since its introduction in 1960, the MOT Test has continued to evolve and the equipment available to MOT Testing Stations has changed to make the test administration process easier for both MOT Testers and motorists. Tecalemit Garage Equipment was one of the first garage 36 AFTERMARKET FEBRUARY 2023 MOT www.aftermarketonline.net equipment manufacturers to supply DVSA, or Ministry Of Transport, approved equipment and many of the very early Tecalemit products are still in daily use. Tecalemit regularly calibrate some of the early Tecalemit DE-7184 hydraulic roller brake testers which have given decades of reliable service. Many of these MOT stations are still undertaking two-person tests. An update to one-person testing can dramatically reduce the interruption to other members of the garage team who act as the MOT Assistant.” The team at Tecalemit say a variety of reasons are given when MOT Testing Stations contact them looking to replace old equipment, as Malc noted: “With the latest DVSA regulations, a change of ownership necessitates the updating to the latest DVSA connected equipment capability. Depending upon the age of the MOT equipment, some of the electronically controlled units from the last fifteen years can be updated, although some of the older equipment needs replacement in order to meet the latest DVSA MTS connectivity requirements. At the other end of the scale, some Tecalemit customers choose to periodically replace emissions testers and roller brake testers with the latest connected equipment. Many of these customers cite increased efficiency and less operator intervention as one of the reasons for choosing the new specification equipment. With the latest DVSA connected capability, roller brake test and emissions test results are automatically stored and transferred to the DVSA MTS system.” Upgrade It is not just older MOT stations who are updating, as Malc pointed out: “Tecalemit have just changed a complete MOT bay at five years old. Despite the 2016 equipment being capable of conversion to connected status, Tecalemit’s customer chose to replace the whole MOT bay, enabling them to offer the 2016 bay to the used equipment market while it still retained a residual value. By accompanying the new DVSA connected MOT bay with a Tecalemit five Year Warranty, Service and Calibration pack, the customer was provided with total peace of mind over the next five years. Routine equipment services and calibrations are automatically scheduled, leaving the Authorised Examiner and MOT Testers to concentrate on the volume throughput of their MOT Bay. Add together the administration savings from the reduced risk from errors of transposition and the automatic transfer of test results to the DVSA reduces subsequent time-consuming consequential corrections.” Malc added: “Whether you are seeking to implement a move from two person testing to one-person testing with a one-person test lane bay, or a move to a full ATL, the benefits of seamless data recording, calculation and transmission can reduce the administration activities involved in the processing MOT tests.” Updated With wipers a key MOT failure item, DENSO Europe Pan European Strategic Marketing Manager Fatiha Laauich commented on the updated DENSO wiper catalogue that has recently been published: “In addition to wiper blade styles, sizes and applications, following the production of a recent explanatory video, the publication also addresses attachment fixings on wiper arms and the differences between the fixing solutions. After addressing how to diagnose common faults and spot signs of wear, and explaining how the part numbers are designated, the catalogue provides detailed fitting instructions to ensure the installation process is quick and completed successfully.