Test lanes – The Way Forward

Test lanes are working well in Ireland and are becoming increasingly popular, so why are we so slow to catch on in the UK? asks Beissbarth UK’s managing director, Philip Hodges.

He said: “There is no doubt that test lanes are the future. They make absolute sense on every level from efficiency through to profitability. A lot of companies which haven’t invested will lose out because they won’t be able to offer the best service, and consumers always demand the best. Garages are reluctant to look at what they can earn from investing in new equipment and are stuck on how much the initial outlay costs.”

Beissbarth is at the forefront of promoting Test Lanes throughout Europe and reports that the take up is promising. The company’s view is that automatic Test Lanes will become a natural progression in the modern MOT procedure as they become standardised throughout Europe. Vehicle weights are lighter and what may appear to be a difficult handling problem can easily be diagnosed and cured quickly through the use of a Test Lane.

Investment is key, adds Hodges: “This is all about quality and longevity, not about inferior equipment at bargain basement prices. Investing in high quality equipment not only creates an immediate competitive advantage, but makes absolute business sense in the long term.

“Those who recognise that Test Lanes are the way forward will ultimately be the ones who will thrive in this highly competitive market. MOT on average generates about £118 per test so it is obviously a viable business builder.”