Top Retail Chains Take on ATL Technology

Kwik-Fit, recently installed a new drive through Automatic Test Lane (ATL) for MOT testing. Kwik-Fit’s Hemel Hempstead branch was the first to use the new ATL equipment provided by Gemco Equipment. Kwik-Fit has also installed the Gemco ATL in their training academy in Derby, ensuring that their MOT testers are trained on new technology. Gemco will now oversee a nation “roll-out” programme across the country.

Kwik-Fit’s upgrade programme has already installed Gemco’s BM brake testers in their existing MOT stations, which have proved to be reliable and trouble-free, obviously a significant influence in choosing the Gemco BM product for the ATL programme. Gemco BM Test Equipment has always been at the forefront of technological development and their new ATL brake testers are no exception.

The BM ATL brake testers are PC controlled and are operated via a hand-held wireless PDA device, (see picture) the whole brake test can be undertaken and the result printed without the tester leaving the car. The Gemco BM software can run on the OMITEC emission tester’s PC, on a dedicated unit, or even on a PC in an adjacent office! The PDA unit giving the tester all the information he needs during the test.

ATS Euromaster ‘first fully integrated chain’

Meanwhile ATS Euromaster is encouraging leasing companies to take note of the benefits of having a vehicle MOT’d at one of its service centres. It claims it is the first major operation in the UK to fully integrate VOSA’s new computerised administration system with the completion of its 100th centre.

Thanks to the new system, all vehicle information is saved in a central location enabling leasing companies to easily check to see if their vehicles are being properly maintained. The major problem of lost MOT certificates will be a thing of the past as they too will be computerised.

Ted Healey, manager of ATS Euromaster’s MOT division, said: “It’s a known fact leasing companies can lose sight over whether a vehicle has an MOT or not. When a vehicle is handed to a driver, the onus of its maintenance falls into their hands. Unfortunately, all too often as the driver doesn’t actually own the car, its care falls down the list of his or her priorities and can be overlooked altogether. This scenario, together with lost MOT certificates, is the bane of lease operators but not any more thanks to the computerisation of the MOT administration system which is now fully integrated by ATS Euromaster.”