Garage Wire January 2026

THE REGULATIONS ISSUE ISSUE 8 JANUARY 2026

THE COMPLIANCE CHALLENGE BALANCING SAFETY, TRAINING, AND LEGISLATIVE CHANGE

UK GARAGES FACE FINANCIAL CRISIS TO MEET EV AND ADAS SAFETY MANDATES

WHAT IS SERMI UK? A GUIDE FOR INDEPENDENT GARAGES

ISSUE 8 JANUARY 2026

Hello! Welcome to the winter edition of Garage Wire Aftermarket.

In this issue, our focus is on regulation, what it means for you and your business now and in the future. We delve into Right to Repair and explore how, even though the mandate is in place, access to the information comes at a premium. Another issue we tackle head-on is training, how to keep up to date, and the many free options available. Then we look at the number of new safety regulations that have come into effect related to Electric Vehicles and how they could affect you. Finally, we take a look at SERMI, what it is and why you should take note.

We also take you through some of our most-read and most-commented online articles since the last issue in case you missed them. Enjoy!

Editor Adam Lane adam.tudor-lane@garagwire.co.uk

05

NEWS: MECHANIC SENTENCED FOR MOT FRAUD FOLLOWING DVSA INVESTIGATION

06

DISCUSSION: RIGHT TO REPAIR ESSENTIAL FOR UK AFTERMARKET SURVIVAL

08

MOST READ: HOW THE STR130RW TRANSFORMED ONE WORKSHOP’S WHEEL ALIGNMENT ABILITY

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DISCUSSION: UK GARAGES FACE FINANCIAL CRISIS TO MEET EV & ADAS SAFETY MANDATES

12

NEWS: HIQ TYRES AND AUTOCARE PARTNERS WITH HPL MOTORS FOR STOCKPORT HUB

Commercial Manager Stuart Woolley stuart.woolley@garagewire.co.uk Design Roy McCarthy Contributor Ralph Hosier, Tony Gill While Garage Wire Limited prides itself on the quality of the information it provides, the company reserves the right not to be held legally responsible for any mistakes or inaccuracies found within the text of this magazine.

All trademarks are acknowledged. © Garage Wire Limited 2025

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CONTENTS

13 WHAT IS SERMI UK? 15

NEWS: GARAGE SEEKS LAWFUL STATUS AFTER 20 YEARS OF PLANNING BREACH

16

DISCUSSION: TRAINING IN THE MODERN WORLD

21

NEWS: VALEO EXPANDS EGR VALVE RANGE WITH 50+ NEW REFERENCES AND EXCLUSIVE RENAULT COVERAGE

18

MOST READ: ARNOTT HIGHLIGHTS COMMITMENT TO QUALIFY WITH ‘REVIVE THE LOVE OF THE DRIVE’

23

NEWS: GS YUASA UPDATES BATTERY TOOLS TO TACKLE INCORRECT FITMENT GARAGEWIRE.CO.UK 3

NEWS

MECHANIC SENTENCED FOR MOT FRAUD FOLLOWING DVSA INVESTIGATION A 42-YEAR-OLD FROM WIDNES HAS BEEN ORDERED TO COMPLETE 240 HOURS OF UNPAID WORK AFTER ISSUING CERTIFICATES WITHOUT PERFORMING VEHICLE TESTS AUTHOR: ADAM LANE

JAMIE BIRCH, 42, OF ST BEDES VIEW, WIDNES, HAS BEEN HANDED A 12-MONTH COMMUNITY ORDER AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO 16 COUNTS OF FRAUD BY FALSE REPRESENTATION. The case, brought by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), followed offences committed between December last year and January this year.

The charges alleged that Birch dishonestly made false representations by issuing MOT certificates without

performing the required MOT tests. These actions were carried out with the intention of making a financial gain for himself or another party.

Appearing before Warrington Magistrates’ Court for sentencing, Birch was ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activity. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a total of £1,314, which includes £1,200 in court costs and a £114 surcharge to fund victim services.

SOURCE: RUNCORN WIDNES WORLD

GARAGEWIRE.CO.UK 5

DISCUSSION

RIGHT TO REPAIR ESSENTIAL FOR UK AFTERMARKET SURVIVAL AMIDST EV SHIFT THE £62.2 BILLION INDEPENDENT GARAGE SECTOR FACES A ‘PERFECT STORM’ OF RISING COSTS AND RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, MAKING THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE MVBEO CRITICAL FOR ACCESSING HIGH-VALUE DIGITAL REPAIRS. AUTHOR: ADAM LANE

THE UK’S INDEPENDENT GARAGE SECTOR, VALUED AT £62.2 BILLION, IS FACING A DUAL CHALLENGE IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS: SEVERE FINANCIAL STRAIN AND ACCELERATING TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE. THIS ENVIRONMENT MEANS THAT THE RIGHT TO REPAIR (R2R) FRAMEWORK IS A STRATEGIC NECESSITY FOR COMPETITIVE VIABILITY. THE DUAL MARKET CHALLENGE Internal financial pressure is as high as it’s ever been, with 89% of repairers citing rising operational costs as their biggest challenge this year. But along with that, the nature of repair is changing as over 40% of modern vehicle components are electronically controlled—a figure set to exceed 70% in electric and hybrid models.

This technological shift is reducing traditional mechanical maintenance revenue, with 21% of workshops reporting reduced revenue opportunities due to EVs inherently requiring less traditional maintenance than ICE models. This market squeeze is forcing an urgent pivot toward high-value digital and complex repair services, which R2R legislation is designed to enable.

THE REGULATORY FOUNDATION OF MVBEO The UK’s R2R framework is anchored by the domestic Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order (MVBEO), which entered force on 1 June 2023 and is set to remain until 31 May 2029.

The MVBEO’s primary goal is to ensure competition by prohibiting agreements that restrict independent operators from accessing essential inputs.

KEY MODERNISATIONS INTRODUCED BY MVBEO INCLUDE: • Expanded Data Requirements: Technical information is explicitly defined to include details necessary for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Battery Management Systems (BMS).

• Software as a Spare Part: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) included ‘software’ within the definition of spare parts. This validates the need for multi-brand

6 GARAGE WIRE AFTERMARKET

diagnostic tools to perform software updates and system coding.

• Data Parity Mandate: Vehicle-generated data and prognostic data (information needed for preventive maintenance) must be made available to the independent aftermarket.

The MVBEO guarantees the legal right to information, but this right must be actualised through technology. Modern vehicles increasingly use Secure Gateways (SGWs) to protect electronic systems, requiring independent garages to use certified diagnostic tools with Passthru protocol capabilities for functions like system coding and software updates.

Which means that the ability to service modern vehicles requires investment in the very tools that are capable of negotiating the SGW and performing those advanced functions—a mandatory step to convert legal rights into operational capacity.

R2R AND THE ELECTRIC REVOLUTION R2R principles are vital for independent EV readiness.

For the used EV market, 88% of buyers consider an independent, certified assessment of the battery’s State of Health (SOH) to be important. Without R2R access to BMS data, battery testing and repair are often monopolised by the manufacturers and main dealers, meaning R2R legislation is essential for independent garages to become “essential trust facilitators” by providing certified SOH data.

This is on top of the fact that working on highvoltage systems requires compliance with Health and Safety Executive regulations. Technicians must secure IMI TechSafe™ certification, with Level 4 (Advanced) competence being critical for safely diagnosing and repairing live high-voltage components.

Independents need to view MVBEO access (the right to data) and the IMI TechSafe certification (the legal right to operate safely) as going hand in hand when it comes to securing that all important high-value repair work in the future.

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DISCUSSION

HOW A YEAR WITH THE STR130RW TRANSFORMED ONE WORKSHOP’S WHEEL ALIGNMENT ABILITY RESHAPING ITS WORKFLOW, CONFIDENCE, AND CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS OFTEN A NEGLECTED SERVICE IN A WORKSHOP, WITH MANY GARAGES CHOOSING NOT TO OFFER IT AS PART OF THEIR SERVICES, CLAIMING THAT IT IS TOO COMPLICATED FOR THEIR ENGINEERS OR SIMPLY FEELS LIKE A WASTE OF TIME. THIS COULD NOT BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH, THOUGH. BY DISREGARDING WHEEL ALIGNMENT, GARAGES NEGLECT A VITAL SOURCE OF INCOME THAT COULD HELP TO RESHAPE THEIR SERVICE OFFERING AND CUSTOMER TRUST. When wheel alignment is wrong, a driver feels it immediately, in steering pull, and over time, in uneven tyre wear, and rising fuel bills. Despite its impact on safety and running costs, alignment remains one of the most overlooked services in the modern workshop. This disconnect is becoming harder to ignore. As vehicles grow more complex and customers become more informed, precision alignment is shifting from an optional extra into an essential service.

One independent workshop discovered this first-hand after investing in the Supertracker STR130RW computerised wheel aligner, a decision that quietly reshaped its workflow, confidence, and customer relationships over the course of the past year.

Before upgrading to the STR130RW, the workshop operated a traditional laser alignment system. While dependable, it was a manual process that did not allow alignment reports to be produced for customers, an increasingly important requirement in today’s market.

The decision to invest in the Supertracker STR130RW came down to practicality. The system’s 6-sensor CCD technology offered fast,

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reliable readings without excessive setup time, thanks to the hang-on measuring head assembly, whilst the on-screen confirmation ensured correct positioning before measurements even began. This meant engineers no longer needed to spend time doing calculations to determine the required alignment angles, a process which can take up valuable time.

Another key factor which made the upgrade to a Supertracker Computerised CCD system easy was the built-in database, allowing technicians to move seamlessly between vehicle models and access customer alignment history quickly.

After twelve months, the impact of upgrading from laser to CCD through Supertracker is easy to quantify. The workshop had this to say: “We have found that our wheel alignment accuracy, capability, and profitability have increased over the past year. All our technicians were able to quickly learn how to operate the machine and have completed over 2,000 wheel alignments,” and “We would certainly recommend this machine to other garages. Anyone considering upgrading to the STR130RW shouldn’t delay.”

WHY PRECISION ALIGNMENT MATTERS MORE THAN EVER Modern vehicles leave little room for approximation. Advanced suspension designs, driver-assistance systems and heavy batteries in electric vehicles make correct alignment more important than ever. For workshops, this creates an opportunity. Precision alignment supports transparency, builds trust, and provides a genuine value-added service, which improves safety while protecting customers’ investments.

In an increasingly competitive market, accuracy and clarity matter.

DISCUSSION

GARAGEWIRE.CO.UK 9

DISCUSSION

UK GARAGES FACE A FINANCIAL CRISIS TO MEET EV AND ADAS SAFETY MANDATES ONLY 3% OF TECHNICIANS ARE ADAS-QUALIFIED, THREATENING PUBLIC SAFETY AND MARKET VIABILITY AS THE HIGH COST OF SPECIALISED EQUIPMENT CREATES AN “ECONOMIC BARRIER” TO COMPLIANCE FOR SMES. AUTHOR: ADAM LANE

THE UK INDEPENDENT GARAGE SECTOR FACES AN EXISTENTIAL OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL CHALLENGE AS THE CAR PARC SHIFTS TOWARD ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EVS) AND ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS (ADAS).

COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY AND LIABILITY MANDATES IS NON-NEGOTIABLE, BUT THE COST OF REQUIRED SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT POSES AN OVERWHELMING BURDEN ON SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES (SMES).

THE SKILLS AND SAFETY CRISIS The UK aftermarket is navigating a critical skills deficit within a shortage of mechanics. Currently, only 3% of technicians are qualified to work on ADAS, and just 6.5% are qualified for high-voltage EV systems. This shortage creates a significant public safety risk and an economic bottleneck.

COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY DUE TO: • Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Requirements: Explicitly demanding the safe isolation of high-voltage components for all EV work. The IMI Level 3 EV qualification is the de facto minimum standard for safely conducting unsupervised repairs.

• Insurance Mandates: Since 2021, the UK insurance industry has required that any ADAS-equipped vehicle undergoing repair must have its ADAS systems checked and recalibrated to maintain roadworthiness and manage liability. Forthcoming legislation is set to make this a statutory requirement.

THE PROHIBITIVE FINANCIAL BARRIER While training costs are relatively manageable—IMI Level 3 EV courses cost around £495.00 to £649 + VAT and can be subsidised by up to 90% through Skills Bootcamps—the main constraint is the capital required for specialist tooling.

• ADAS Calibration Rigs: A basic multi-brand ADAS calibration rig can cost from £6,495 + VAT up to £19,995.

• EV Tooling: Although the IGA offers members a discounted 116-piece high-voltage toolkit and PPE for £1,775 + VAT (a saving of £1,666), the initial capital outlay remains substantial.

To achieve both Level 3 EV competence and ADAS

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capability, an independent garage must budget for a minimum capital outlay of approximately £8,500 to over £22,000, alongside recurring costs of £400 per month or more for essential data and diagnostic software.

POLICY INADEQUACIES AND STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS This high capital cost effectively kills the legal Right to Repair protection provided by the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order, which guarantees access to technical data and software. Access to Repair and Maintenance Information is useless if the garage cannot afford the equipment required to even access that data.

And the skills gap is massive; by 2032, the UK is expecting to need approximately 75,000 EV-qualified and 97,000 ADAS-qualified technicians. This is in stark contrast with the current qualification levels.

Policymakers must shift focus from consumer adoption to maintenance infrastructure. Industry bodies like the IMI have called for a dedicated £15 million fund to support EV skills training for existing technicians.

SO WHAT CAN BE DONE? It might seem like a hopeless situation, but there is some light ahead regarding future funding and how to get started right now.

1. Mandate Certification: Garages must leverage subsidies to achieve IMI Level 3 EV and ADAS certification.

2. Strategic Procurement: Utilise trade association membership (e.g., IGA) to secure discounted tooling.

3. Policy Reform: HM Treasury must reform the Apprenticeship Levy to fund short upskilling courses and introduce targeted capital grants or tax relief for the purchase of mandatory high-cost equipment.

The entire viability of the independent garage network is going to depend on urgent, targeted financial intervention to bridge the gap between regulatory necessity and economic reality.

But with little mention of help in the last budget, it remains to be seen if the Government will realise that support is needed before it’s too late.

THE CHASSIS EXPERTS Schaeffler is a trusted technical partner of the automotive industry, delivering high-tech components and systems for original fitment by vehicle manufacturers around the world.

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It is also the perfect accompaniment to our leading range of FAG hub repair solutions, which offers genuine OE quality at a competitive price. And, as always from Schaeffler, everything a technician needs to carry out a professional wheel bearing repair or hub unit replacement is in just one box, so you can simply fit and forget.

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NEWS

HIQ TYRES & AUTOCARE PARTNERS WITH HPL MOTORS FOR STOCKPORT HUB THE COLLABORATION INTEGRATES VEHICLE SALES WITH MOT AND SERVICING FUNCTIONS TO PROVIDE A SINGLE-SITE MOTORING DESTINATION IN GREATER MANCHESTER HIQ TYRES & AUTOCARE HAS PARTNERED WITH HPL MOTORS TO OPEN A DUALBRANDED SALES AND SERVICING HUB WITHIN HPL MOTORS’ CAR SUPERMARKET IN STOCKPORT. THE COLLABORATION COMBINES VEHICLE RETAIL WITH HIQ’S MOT, REPAIR, AND SERVICING OPERATIONS. Under the agreement, HiQ Tyres & Autocare manages all technical functions onsite. HPL Motors, which operates five used car supermarkets in the North West, stated the partnership is a response to changing customer expectations for a combined motoring experience.

Sarah Gumbley, Retail Business Consultant at Goodyear, commented: “This is the first step in an exciting partnership that aims to transform the car-buying and servicing experience for drivers in Greater Manchester. Our shared goal is to give customers the confidence that the same high standard of transparency and reliability applies from the moment they choose their vehicle right through to its ongoing maintenance. This attitude reflects a shared commitment between both brands to offer convenience and quality service for customers.”

The Stockport centre is managed by Scott Elwood, who oversees a team of nine staff across technical and customer service roles.

He commented: “We find that many of our car buying customers return to us for servicing because they value honesty and quality. Partnering with HiQ Tyres & Autocare allows us to strengthen that experience further by offering a complete sales-andservicing solution under one roof.” Elwood added: “HiQ Tyres & Autocare is a recognised and highly respected name in our industry, and its reputation complements the values we’ve built at HPL Motors over more than three decades.”

The centre is located on St Mary’s Way, Stockport. Drivers can book appointments and access instant pricing via the HiQ Tyres & Autocare booking platform.

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DISCUSSION

WHAT IS SERMI UK?

A GUIDE FOR INDEPENDENT GARAGES AUTHOR: TONY GILL, OPUS IVS

OVERVIEW Modern vehicles are packed with advanced security systems, such as immobilisers, encrypted software and modules. For independent garages, it’s becoming tougher to access these systems without manufacturer authorisation. That’s where SERMI comes in. The acronym stands for Security related Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Information. It enables independent garages and technicians in the UK to access security related data from vehicle manufacturers through a secure, standardised framework.

WHY IT MATTERS SERMI is essential because: • It grants access to key systems such as key/immobiliser programming, ECU/module replacement, anti-theft coding, and software updates.

• Even seemingly simple faults (e.g., a window issue) can link back to a controller that also handles security functions, so without SERMI access, these jobs might be blocked.

• Independent garages risk losing work or being excluded from diagnostics and repair of specific systems if they don’t have access.

WHO RUNS SERMI? In the UK, SERMI is managed by RMI Standards & Certification (RMISC), an ISO-accredited organisation. They handle: • Approval of independent operators (IOs, meaning the workshops) • Authorisation of individual technicians (IOEs) • Audits, renewals and ongoing compliance monitoring IS IT LIVE YET? Yes, in August 2025, the Independent Garage Association (IGA) announced that the UK scheme had received approval to launch. The expectation is that it will go live later in early 2026, with many applications expected to come in early.

HOW TO APPLY If you’re an independent garage wishing to join: • Submit an Expression of Interest via the SERMI website. (https://sermi.co.uk/)

• • • •

Prepare required documents, including: Proof of business ownership Public liability insurance evidence DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks for authorised staff • Proof of operating in the automotive sector (invoices, trade membership, etc) • A signed self-declaration of lawful operations • After approval, the business receives a certificate, and each technician gets a digital credential to log in to OEM systems.

• Be aware: RMISC will conduct scheduled and surprise audits throughout the five-year authorisation period.

Misuse or breaches can lead to revocation.

WHAT IF YOU AREN’T APPROVED? Once manufacturers begin enforcing SERMI access: • You may lose the ability to program keys/immobilisers.

• You may be barred from replacing ECUs or security modules.

• Diagnostics and calibrations involving security-related systems may become unavailable to you. Therefore, being ahead of the curve gives you a competitive edge.

FINAL THOUGHTS SERMI marks a significant step forward for independent garages, creating a single, trusted and audited path to access security-related vehicle data. While the rollout is still ongoing, prepping now will safeguard your workshop’s future and show you’re a compliant, professional player in the rapidly evolving vehicle repair market.

NOTE FOR SUPPLIERS If you supply remote services (e.g., via a remote diagnostic/repair partner), you’ll also need SERMI registration. Without both your business and your technicians registered, remote security-related work may no longer be possible.

THE ABOVE ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY TONY GILL, CUSTOMER SUPPORT MANAGER, OPUS IVS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW OPUS IVS CAN HELP YOUR GARAGE EMAIL INFO@OPUSIVS.COM

GARAGEWIRE.CO.UK 13

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NEWS

IMAGE: GOOGLE STREETVIEW

GARAGE SEEKS LAWFUL STATUS AFTER 20 YEARS OF PLANNING BREACH RICHARDSONS MOTOR ENGINEERS HAS SUBMITTED A PLANNING APPLICATION TO WEALDEN DISTRICT COUNCIL TO REGULARISE ITS USE OF UNIT 3, WESTHAM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, AFTER OPERATING SOLELY FOR CAR SERVICING AND REPAIRS SINCE 2003 AUTHOR: ADAM LANE

RICHARDSONS MOTOR ENGINEERS, A CAR MECHANIC BUSINESS LOCATED IN UNIT 3 AT WESTHAM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE NEAR EASTBOURNE, HAS BEEN OPERATING IN BREACH OF ORIGINAL PLANNING REGULATIONS SINCE 2003.

Original planning consent, granted in 1984 for the construction of Unit 3 and Unit 4, specified that the buildings were to be used solely for storage purposes.

The use of Unit 3 for car services, repairs, and engineering since 2003 thus constituted a breach of the initial condition.

The business has now submitted a planning application to Wealden District Council to secure a certificate of Lawful Development. Under planning legislation, if an applicant can prove that an unapproved use of a site has been

continuously happening for 10 years or more, the change of use is permitted.

The application includes evidence to support the claim that the use has been continuous since 2003. This evidence includes a statement from Mr. and Mrs. Eastes, who have owned Unit 3 since 1988. They confirmed leasing the unit to Richardsons Motor Engineers in 2003 and being fully aware of the repair and servicing activities taking place.

Further support is provided by documents such as a lease renewal signed by company owner Paul Richardson in 2017. The business asserts that its regular use of the unit for car repairs and engineering tasks has been continuous since it occupied the premises 22 years ago.

SOURCE: THE ARGUS

GARAGEWIRE.CO.UK 15

DISCUSSION

TRAINING IN THE MODERN WORLD

RUNNING A GARAGE THESE DAYS IS TOUGH, WITH THINGS CHANGING EVER FASTER. AS SOON AS ONE AMAZING NEW TECHNOLOGY COMES OUT, ANOTHER ONE COMES ALONG TO REPLACE IT. IT’S EASY TO GET LEFT BEHIND AND BEWILDERED BY ALL THESE RAPID DEVELOPMENTS. AUTHOR: RALPH HOSIER, CHARTERED ENGINEER - MIMI MIET THIS POSES A REAL CHALLENGE TO THE GARAGE SECTOR, WHERE ONCE PEOPLE COULD GET QUALIFIED AND HAVE FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE THAT WOULD SEE THEM THROUGH A WHOLE CAREER, NOW IT SEEMS LIKE EVEN THE UNDERPINNING PRINCIPLES CHANGE ON A DAILY BASIS. The solution is to never stop learning. And, to be fair, most people in the trade always did keep learning, reading about new models and swapping tips on trade forums etc.

But now you really need to make it a fundamental part of how you work.

To start with you need to schedule in a few minutes every day to read up on new developments and find out

16 GARAGE WIRE AFTERMARKET

what else you need to know about.

The trouble is that there is a huge amount of substandard or downright wrong information out there; finding a reliable way to stay up to date is vital. Obviously, trade magazines like this one are a great place to start, with proper journalistic oversight to make sure what you read is right.

There is also a more formal method that is finding favour with companies that need to prove to their customers that the staff know what they are talking about, and that’s the Continual Professional Development path (CPD. There are now an amazing array of proper CPD-accredited courses available, either online or in person. These cover all the various technical subjects as well as management,

DISCUSSION

health and safety and environmental issues. And if you are Techsafe or BS10125 registered, you have to complete relevant CPD training to renew your registration.

Make no mistake, this is a great opportunity to know more and be able to offer more services to a wider selection of customers. Training should not be seen as an inconvenient necessity to the business, but as a real opportunity to improve efficiency, broaden your offering and get into new markets early.

As well as paid for formal training, there are loads of free short courses available from places like the

Delphi Academy ‘How To’ guides, Bosch, NTK and other OEM component suppliers provide a mix of simple free and in-depth paid for training.

Established training providers are now also creating content you can consume from home or work, with CPD and simple courses available online.

For instance, RWC training in Milton Keynes has its Train To Gain program aimed squarely at maintaining BS 10125 compliance in the repair sector.

So with all the great training available to you, there really is no excuse not to stay up to date. And for those who do decide to stay as they are, there may be a shock as the world moves on without them.

GARAGEWIRE.CO.UK 17

DISCUSSION

ARNOTT HIGHLIGHTS COMMITMENT TO QUALITY WITH ‘REVIVE THE LOVE OF THE DRIVE’

BY FOCUSING ON HIGH-QUALITY SOLUTIONS THAT RESTORE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE AND DRIVER CONNECTION TO THE ROAD AUTHOR: ADAM LANE

ARNOTT HAS INTRODUCED ITS LATEST INITIATIVE, “REVIVE THE LOVE OF THE DRIVE,” HIGHLIGHTING THE PURPOSE BEHIND ITS ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. THE COMPANY ASSERTS THAT EVERY INSTALLATION IS MORE THAN A STANDARD REPAIR; IT IS A PROCESS THAT RESTORES A DRIVER’S CONNECTION TO THE ROAD. The initiative focuses on Arnott’s high-quality air suspension solutions, which are engineered to fit correctly, perform reliably, and ensure longevity. By providing these components, the company aims to go beyond basic manufacturing and supply.

Arnott works closely with a global network of distributors

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and installers to ensure drivers can experience their vehicles as originally intended. The company’s suspension products are designed to meet the specific requirements of various vehicle makes and models, maintaining performance standards throughout the product’s lifespan.

Technicians and motorists can watch how Arnott supports the automotive industry by viewing their latest video content, which demonstrates the brand’s approach to global supply and installer support.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARNOTT’S AIR SUSPENSION RANGE AND TO SEE HOW THEY SUPPORT THE INDEPENDENT AFTERMARKET, VISIT THE COMPANY’S WEBSITE HERE.

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The interior blower is a key part of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system. It creates airflow through the heater or evaporator to reach the driver’s selected temperature. Blowers operate on 12 or 24 volts and are controlled via the dashboard using either a resistor (fixed speeds) or an electronic control unit (variable speeds).

HOW IT WORKS? When the blower speed is adjusted, a signal is sent to the resistor or control unit to regulate motor speed. The blower draws in fresh or recirculated air and pushes it through the heat exchangers. As these components heat up, the airflow also helps cool them.

TROUBLESHOOTING Motor wear and age are the most common causes of failure. If the blower stops working, first check: Blower fuse (interior fuse panel) Motor relays and fuses (engine compartment) Without a working blower (even at minimum speed), manual A/C systems won’t function, risking a frozen evaporator.

QUALITY AND TESTING NRF interior blowers are built to the highest standards and tested for mechanical, noise, electrical, performance, balance, and fitment quality.

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Note: A blown fuse can indicate excessive resistance from a worn motor.

SIGNS OF FAILURE Drivers may notice: Squeaking or rattling noises Vibration Burning smell Blockages like leaves or debris from an old or missing cabin filter can unbalance the blower wheel and overheat the motor or resistor.

TYPES OF BLOWER MOTORS Brushless: Modern design, usually with electronic control units for variable speeds.

Brushed: Older design, using resistors for fixed speeds.

If a resistor fails, the blower typically runs only at the highest speed (direct battery connection). Resistors and control units can fail due to aging, overheating, vibration or mechanical stress.

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DISCUSSION

VALEO EXPANDS EGR VALVE RANGE WITH 50+ NEW REFERENCES AND EXCLUSIVE RENAULT COVERAGE HELPING WORKSHOPS AND DISTRIBUTORS STAY AHEAD OF DEMAND WITH A MAJOR EXPANSION TO ITS RANGE AUTHOR: ADAM LANE

VALEO SERVICE UK IS HELPING WORKSHOPS AND DISTRIBUTORS STAY AHEAD OF DEMAND WITH A MAJOR EXPANSION TO ITS RANGE OF EGR VALVES, INTRODUCING OVER 50 NEW REFERENCES AND REINFORCING ITS POSITION AS A TRUSTED ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER. The latest additions bring Valeo’s total EGR valve and module offering to 160 references, doubling its range within a year and extending coverage to nearly 130 million vehicles across Europe.

“With this expansion, Valeo continues to deliver genuine OE quality and reliability to the aftermarket,” said Andy Swann, Managing Director at Valeo Service UK. “By bringing our experience as an OE manufacturer into every component we supply, we help workshops complete repairs efficiently and with confidence, knowing they’re fitting parts engineered to the highest standards.”

The momentum is set to continue into 2026, with Valeo planning to introduce nearly 200 new EGR valves and modules to support the growing aftermarket demand.

Valeo now meets 70% of the market’s needs for Renault applications, including a unique OE reference (700471) for the Master, Koleos, Traffic III, and Talisman.

Valeo pairs its technical expertise with tailored aftermarket support, offering clear visibility and product information on Tecdoc for quick identification, a dedicated technical hotline providing fast, professional guidance on applications and fitting questions, and specialist technical training. This combination ensures that technicians are equipped not only with the right parts but also the knowledge to install them correctly and diagnose potential issues effectively.

“This is about more than just parts,” said Andy. “It’s about equipping workshops with the knowledge, support, and quality components they need to deliver lasting repairs and satisfied customers.”

VALEO’S EXPANDED EGR VALVE PORTFOLIO IS NOW AVAILABLE ACROSS THE UK. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FULL RANGE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT RESOURCES CLICK HERE.

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Invented for life

(@ BOSCH

Bosch Engine Management Systems Bosch engine-management spare parts stand for high quality and reliability

For reliable vehicle operation, all of the components forming part of the engine management need to be well-matched and well-geared to one another. This includes some direct engine components - such as pumps, injectors and fuel rails - as well as indirect components, e.g. sensors and filters.

Bosch supplies workshops with a comprehensive range of parts for engine management systems, matching OE quality. boschaftermarket.ie

DISCUSSION

GS YUASA UPDATES BATTERY TOOLS TO TACKLE INCORRECT FITMENT

URGING WORKSHOPS AND MOTORISTS TO FOLLOW CORRECT REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES, WARNING THAT FAILURE TO RESET THE BMS IS RISKING PREMATURE BATTERY FAILURE AUTHOR: ADAM LANE

GS YUASA HAS ISSUED A WARNING TO WORKSHOPS AND MOTORISTS ACROSS EUROPE: INCORRECT BATTERY FITTING AND FAILURE TO RESET THE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BMS) ON MODERN VEHICLES IS STILL ALARMINGLY COMMON — RISKING PREMATURE BATTERY FAILURE, COSTLY REPAIRS, AND COMPLETE LOSS OF START-STOP FUNCTIONALITY. Modern vehicles with advanced systems like Start-Stop and regenerative braking require micro-cycle batteries of the correct technology. An AGM battery must always be replaced with an AGM equivalent, and EFB batteries must only be replaced with EFB units. Fitting the wrong type can cause system faults and dramatically shorten battery life.

Equally important is BMS reprogramming, also known as validation or configuration. This process is necessary to reset the BMS through the vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) port, informing the electronics that a new battery has been installed and altering system parameters accordingly.

Peter Whittaker, General Manager of Automotive and Motorcycle Engineering at GS Yuasa Battery Europe Ltd, said: “Our technical teams still see far too many cases where batteries have been replaced without following correct specification or without resetting the BMS. The result of this will often be system errors, Start-Stop not functioning, and premature battery failure — all of which can be easily avoided by following the correct procedure.”

GS Yuasa stresses that these mistakes are not confined to inexperienced motorists attempting DIY replacements — they also occur in workshops, where time pressures and lack of specialist equipment can lead to shortcuts being taken.

To help the aftermarket adhere to best practice, the company has unveiled new tools: • Yu-Fit+ • Advanced lookup tools These tools are designed to make the crucial selection and validation process faster and easier for professional technicians.

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