British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt. Hon George Osborne MP’s 2016 budget lowers tax rates for small businesses, however large businesses face stamp duty and other increases. The surprise announcement of government-backed “Lifetime ISAs” is designed to help everyone save more for the future. But, at the same time as this, larger personal tax allowances were announced – suggesting people will have great levels of disposable income now as well.
Garage owners and testers imprisoned for carrying out fraudulent MOTs
Following a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) investigation, the garage owners and two MOT testers who worked at the Kyhber and Berbice Garage at Endsleigh Industrial Estate in Southall were sentenced following pleading guilty to conspiring to fraudulently issue MOT certificates.
Shorab Jadunandan and Sanjay Spolia who were the registered owners of the garage employed Graham Cahill and Olayinka Fadayomi as MOT testers. During the investigation it was discovered that MOT certificates were being issued for cars that had never been tested on the premises.
The Italian tyre brand Momo Tires has signed a contract to manufacture Momo tyres “in Europe”. According to the company, the new partnership includes the production of three brand new models, along with an innovative “four season” tyre to complete the line-up. However, no further details of exactly where the tyres will be produced have yet been released. In answer to questions from Tyres & Accessories, Momo representatives simply said they will publish the name of the producer and the factory soon, which could suggest it is a manufacturer with more than one factory.
The UK Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO) and National Measurement and Regulation Office (NMRO) are merging into a single Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) directorate from 1 April 2016. The goal of the new entity, which will be known as “Regulatory Delivery”, will be to focus on regulation and enforcement. This in turn is likely to impact the way legislation such European Tyre Labelling is monitored and enforced.
National No Smoking Day falls on 9 March and serves as a reminder of the new law, which bans smoking in vehicles carrying children. Not only is this a timely health warning, but motor industry valuation specialist, cap, warns that smoking in the car can also damage the resale value of vehicles. With this in mind, cap urges car owners to stub out the cigarette for a healthier body and bank balance.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) director Stuart James and Garage Equipment Association (GEA) chief executive Dave Garratt have agreed to meet Rory Stewart, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs, in early March to discuss concerns related to changes to the guidance for the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2010.
Alcohol experts ‘astonished and frustrated’ at lack of movement in drink-drive law
Following the Department for Transport’s announcement that they have no immediate plans to lower the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to the same as Scotland’s, alcohol safety experts have responded to the news as “astonishing” and stated that the Department for Transport is ignoring the facts.
IAAF: Kia guilty verdict a major victory for aftermarket’
Now the Supreme Court of Stockholm has dismissed Kia’s petition to appeal against conviction in December 2012 for breach of competition in the Swedish market on its 7 year new car warranty, the IAAF is suggesting the verdict is “a major victory for the aftermarket”.
Under the EU Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation 461/2010, manufacturers have a duty to honour the vehicle’s warranty when it is serviced outside of the dealership, and non-OE parts being fitted onto a vehicle is an insufficient reason for the warranty to be declared invalid.
Call for lower alcohol limit and French-style breathalyser law
Following the debate of a Private Members’ Bill in the House of Lords on Friday 29 January, which sought to lower the drink-drive limit in England and Wales to the same as Scotland, alcohol safety experts say more lives could be saved with the introduction of a breathalyser law.
Legal changes mean independent will gain garage work from franchised dealers
Franchised dealers are vulnerable to losing service business to the independent garages as EU legislation levels out the playing field.
According to the Independent Garage Association (IGA), recent surveys have shown independent garages taking an increasing market share of service work despite difficulty carrying out certain functions. This limitation will soon be removed, allowing independents to carry out every part of a service and repair for their customers.
MRF Tyres launching European motorsport business at Autosport
Leading Indian tyre maker MRF Tyres is launching its MRF Motorsport Tyres Europe operation during Autosport International 2016. This means the Indian brand, which is well known on the sub-continent, but has yet to make such a big splash outside Asia, will now be available to UK and European customers.
Motorists call for stricter penalties for using mobiles while driving
As the government announces plans for increased penalties for those using handheld mobile phones while driving, the UK and Europe’s largest used vehicle marketplace, BCA, reveals the growing frustration of UK motorists towards careless driving habits. Nearly 90 per cent of motorists who responded to a BCA survey of nearly 450 motorists said the use […]
All speed cameras ‘will be yellow within a year’ Government says
Every working speed camera on the strategic road network will be yellow within a year, the Government has announced. Ministers ordered a review of speed camera policy on motorways earlier this year and Highways England has today confirmed their plan to increase the visibility of all speed cameras on the network.
The IAAF, as part of its membership of the Automotive Aftermarket Liaison Group (AALG), has joined forces with the ProMOTe Campaign to fight the proposed changes to the MoT testing frequency.
TyreSafe helps Britain’s largest motorway police group measure tread depth
TyreSafe has presented Central Motorways Police Group (CMPG) commanding officer, Superintendent Paul Keasey, with tread depth gauges to help it implement its tyre safety policy. The CMPG is responsible for over 400 miles of Britain’s busiest motorway network, reaching from the Welsh borders through to Cheshire and across to the East of Birmingham. Comprising specially trained officers from the West Midlands, West Mercia and Staffordshire police forces, CMPG is the largest single motorway police group in Britain.
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