Advertisement feature 28 www.aftermarketonline.net SEPTEMBER 2024 3DUWV 3D\ 2Ꭽ +RZ JHQXLQH 027 FXVWRPHU FRQYHUVDWLRQV FDQ KHOS ERRVW EXVLQHVV The post COVID MOT cycle has become massively back weighted towards September and with no signs of it shifting, garages need to prepare now for the surge in test bookings. With forecasts from trusted automotive sources pointing to another busy September period for garages, planning for parts purchasing is essential to ensure workflow does not get stalled this month. For instance, GiPA, the respected automotive aftermarket intelligence organisation, in its Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) MOT test volume forecast estimates 3,357,676 MOT bookings in September. This is only just under 30,000 less bookings than the post COVID peak in September 2020 and 575,835 more MOT bookings than the pre-COVID 2,781,841 MOT tests booked in September 2019. So, with a predicted surge of September bookings, what do garages need to consider when planning for the parts required to keep customers vehicles on the road? When it comes to gauging the most common MOT failures recent data from the DVSA, published in June, can help instruct planning and parts purchasing decisions. The DVSA results reveal brake-related issues - scoring at 29% - as the highest for MOT failures, closely followed by lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, which make up a quarter of all failures. Issues with a vehicle’s suspension completes the top three, responsible for 19% of MOT failures. The DVSA also reports that 684,746 vehicles failed their tests between October and December 2023 as a result of dangerous safety defects, with nearly two million vehicles failing their MOT across the year. With October to December MOT failures among the highest last year, now is the time for garages to begin customer conversations on how to best avoid adding to the statistics. One key conversation to be had is the fitting of Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Parts compared to standard aftermarket parts. There are many compelling reasons to fit Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Parts. The fit first-time guarantee that comes with Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Parts saves time and money in the workshop while helping to retain the residual value of a vehicle and they come with a warranty. Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Parts are also identical in quality to the parts used in new vehicle production and are subject to rigorous testing procedures, making a significant contribution to the safety and integrity of the vehicle. Brakes are a good case in point for safety. With all brake pads sold in Europe for use on vehicles manufactured after 1999 having to comply with ECE R90 Regulation, Volkswagen Group’s testing procedures feature four times the number of tests recommended by the R90 Regulation. Similarly, friction material on Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Brake Pads comprises a blend of at least 25 key constituents - ECE R90 compliance requires just seven constituents. The result is lower wear, increased performance and longer service life. The Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Brake Pads are also developed to address comfort criteria including brake judder, steering wheel vibration, brake feel and noise levels. For more information on Volkswagen Group Genuine Parts speak to your local TPS centre or visit tps.trade
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