The combination of increasing demand for MOTs and stricter test criteria look likely to create a boom in demand at garages and for tyres in particular.
After years of post-financial crisis scrappage schemes and investment, the UK car industry got used to boom times and consecutive year-on-year growth.
The National Motorcycle Dealer Association (NMDA) will be on hand to offer support and advice at the upcoming Motorcycle Trade Expo knowledge shop (20-22 January 2019 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire). The NMDA represents the interests of motorcycle dealers in the UK and holds regular discussions with the relevant government departments and motorcycle manufacturers to raise industry concerns, and keep abreast of the latest changes to support its dealer members.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has begun a crackdown on tyres that are more than 10 years old. As part of Road Safety Week, the DVSA has updated its Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness, to ensure large vehicles remain safe to drive by limiting the use of old tyres.
The UK didn’t participate in the MSTyre15 project, yet we’ve gained a better understanding of tyre labelling non-compliance here thanks to freedom of information (FOI) requests made by Unite, the trade union representing many employed within the automotive sector in Britain and Ireland. In separate FOI responses, it was confirmed to Unite that no legislation exists to enforce Regulation (EC) No. 1222/2009 and that mislabelled tyres have been sold in the UK.
Negotiations to rectify the Department for Transport’s apparent failure to incorporate European Union Directives 2014/45/EU and 2014/47/EU into the wheel-related section of the new Heavy Goods Vehicle Inspection Manual has yielded a positive result for MWheels. The commercial vehicle wheel specialist shares that following a meeting with the DfT, DVSA and Parliamentary representative Mike Kane MP on 17 May, the DfT “has agreed to work with MWheels to investigate ways in which the Heavy Goods Vehicle Inspection Manual’s section on wheels can be enhanced to improve vehicle safety.”
Automechanika Birmingham’s seminar programme looks set to be the most comprehensive yet with a number of wide ranging topics discussed and technical advice available to visitors.
The way that the MOT test works in England, Scotland and Wales will change from this Sunday. The changes will affect cars, vans, motorcycles and other light passenger vehicles. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has published a video in which Neil Barlow, head of MOT Policy at the DVSA, explains what is changing.
The DVSA has now launched its new service where vehicle owners can sign up to get free reminders by text message or e-mail when the vehicle’s MOT is due.
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) Commercial Vehicle division has raised its concerns following findings that one in 13 lorries tested by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have been found to be fitted with an emissions cheat device following roadside checks.
Four mechanics have been given suspended sentences of up to 8 months and will have to pay nearly £20,000 in fines, after a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) investigation found they were issuing fraudulent MOT certificates.
Garage owner Mark Huckstepp, his son – also called Mark – and employees Anthony Hinds and Jagdeep Lotey all worked at Gallows Corner MOTs in Romford.
Automotive parts distributor, Fast Parts Wales, will run an MOT Tester training course for technicians on 22 November. The MOT Tester Annual Assessment for Class 3, 4, 5 and 7 vehicles, run by WG Auto Training, offers full MOT annual training and continuing professional development, and will be held at Fast Parts’ branch in Abercarn. The course will meet the DVSA Record of Training’s syllabus criteria, which includes three hours of annual CPD training, the annual assessment and all certification.
The number of teenagers who are not learning to drive has fallen by nearly 30 per cent in a decade – a record number, revealed by DVSA data.
The cost of university, rising price of car insurance and changes in mobility, particularly car sharing, are all deciding factors in this decline. Kate Rock at Goodyear Tyres has reacted to the findings, explaining the generational change in people’s attitudes towards driving and the impact this will have on automotive innovation.
From August 2017, roadside checks of lorries carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will include an emissions check. DVSA will be targeting lorry drivers and operators who try to cheat vehicle emissions. The new checks will target those who break the law and will help to improve air quality.
Changes to the driving test will help save lives and improve road safety, said transport minister Andrew Jones. Learner drivers will need to pass a modern test that will include new manoeuvres and a longer independent driving section to make sure drivers have the skills, knowledge and confidence to drive on their own. The changes will also include a section where drivers use satellite navigation to find their way.
Hay fever sufferers need to be aware of the possible effects medication could have on their driving, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has warned.
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