Editor’s comment 3 www.aftermarketonline.net JUNE 2024 Editor John Shepherd john@aftermarket.co.uk +44 (0) 1732 370 345 Head of Sales Angela Lyus angela@aftermarket.co.uk +44 (0) 7823 736 629 Managing Director Ryan Fuller ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk Marketing Manager Hope Jepson hope.jepson@dfamedia.co.uk Production Design Anthony Wiffen production@aftermarket.co.uk +44 (0) 7851 612799 Finance Department accounts@dfamedia.co.uk +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Contributors Mark Bristow | Martin Brown | Azlina Bulmer | Rachel Clift | Jay Wheatley Published by DFA Media Group 192 High Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1BE +44 (0)1732 370340 ISSN 2516-9149 Aftermarket is published 10 times a year and is sent free of charge to applicants meeting the publisher’s criteria. All others may subscribe at £60 per anum, £120 Europe and £150 rest of the world. While every care is taken to provide accurate information, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or ommisions, no matter how caused. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior consent of the publisher. The views of contributors do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Copyright: DFA Aftermarket Media Ltd 2025. Average net circulation July 2023 to June 2024 21,945 Testing times ahead Welcome to the first edition of Aftermarket for 2025. In preparing for this issue and looking ahead to what the new year holds, I noted one topic that has been in the headlines for over a year now is still making news: the future of the MOT. It’s been just over 12 months since the government, following a yearlong consultation, said ministers were committed to establishing longer-term reform for the test. There was indeed reform of sorts because a few months later saw a general election and a change in administration. That meant questions surrounding the future of the MOT were effectively parked for a time as the new government brought itself up to speed. Let’s hope 2025 finally sees some positive action. As we report in this issue, garage industry leaders are ramping up pressure, including calling for ministers to tackle the existing “stagnant” MOT price cap, which has remained unchanged for more than 14 years. According to the Independent Garage Association, the strain the current fee is putting on garages is being aggravated by rising inflation and other costs. The situation is now so urgent it is increasingly jeopardising garages’ ability to prioritise this vital service. Change in this 65th anniversary year of the MOT — a milestone that would have been retirement age for many of us not too long ago — would be appropriate. The MOT first came into force in September 1960 although it remained optional until 1961. Originally only cars over 10 years old were required to have an MOT, but this was subsequently lowered. Fast forward to today and some of the key issues of debate about the future of the test are whether it should include advanced driver assistance systems. This is certainly a hot topic that will be a key topic of debate for garages for some time to come. The importance of the MOT to garages is reflected in articles from a number of our contributors in this issue including Repairify Innovations’ Martin Brown And another factor that needs to be taken into account, also reported in this issue, is latest RAC analysis that suggests one in five drivers under the age of 44 have driven illegally by not putting their car through the MOT or replacing tyres when needed, to save money in the cost-of-living crisis. In terms of innovations, 2025 promises to be an exciting new year for us as our search gathers pace to find contenders for the inaugural Top Apprentice competition. The contest is being held alongside the long-running Top Technician and Top Garage. Find out more in this issue and get your entries in now to put yourself to the test to prove why you’re the best! John Shepherd Editor
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