Garage Wire Views - Apr '20

The digital home for independent garages Issue 2, April 2020

TechMan garage management system review

Independents speak out over shock six-month MOT extension Aaron Phillips talks catalytic converter and DPF thefts

Registrations open for Blackpool’s REPXPERT Academy LIVE

SAFE AND SOUND(LESS).

FAG wheel bearings are approved for original fitment and engineered for a smooth and silent drive.

As a safety critical component, there are good reasons why the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers choose to fit FAG. One such reason is our innovative Low Friction Torque (LFT) sealing technology that reduces bearing friction by 30%, ultimately cutting CO2 emissions and fuel consumption by over 1%.

Cheaper bearings might not include patented technologies like LFT, and may also not have been engineered or tested to conform to the many rigorous standards that FAG has to meet as an OE supplier. www.repxpert.co.uk | www.schaeffler.co.uk/aftermarket

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Independents speak out over shock six-month MOT extension

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TechMan garage management system review Aaron Phillips talks catalytic converter and DPF thefts Tony Vincent: What was wrong with the old MOT manual?

18 23 29

News in brief......................... 5

Products and services ..... 17

Gone to the polls ...............11

TECH TIPS ............................. 21

BRAND NEWS ........................ 14

EVENTS ................................. 26

Dayco Thermostats.

The right temperature, in the shortest possible time

Dayco presents its new range of Thermostats. Designed and manufactured to meet the most stringent OEM specifications. Dayco Thermostats guarantee reduced fuel consumption, emissions, wear and tear.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

UK government announces “unprecedented” economic rescue plan Government intervention to help businesses and employees

It’s good news, let’s see how hard it is to get it.

Paul Richey on Facebook.

‘Job retention scheme’ for employers set to cover 80 per cent of wages Businesses able to apply for a grant from HMRC Chancellor also defers VAT for all businesses until end of June

FULL STORY 5

Brakes for All Makes!

Blue Print now offers a complete brake friction range with more than 3,400 components for Asian and European vehicle applications. Additionally, we provide a coverage for over 98% of all popular cars on European roads year 2000 and onwards for brake discs and pads.

Blue Print strives to develop their extensive Braking range to ensure you have the parts your customers need – keep ahead of the game with Blue Print!

Confidence that brakes will fit ´Right First Time.’

Right First Time. www.blue-print.com

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NEWS IN BRIEF

MOT due dates to be extended by six months MOT extension available for cars, vans and motorcycles due from 30 March 2020

In effect, now an MOT station will only be working six months a year from now on.

Ian Jolley on GW forum.

MOT centres and garages permitted to remain open for owners that use their vehicle: TO Shop for basic necessities For any medical need To provide care or to help a vulnerable person To travel to and from work where this cannot be done from home

HOT TOPIC FULL STORY 7

NEWS IN BRIEF

DVSA suspends heavy vehicle testing in response to Covid-19 pandemic Three-month suspension implemented with immediate effect Surely the same extension can be applied to all motor vehicles with MOT’s expiring during these unprecedented times.

Jason Cherry on GW Forum 24/3/20.

DVSA suspends testing of all HGVs, trailers and public service vehicles They will be issued with a three‑month certificate of exemption Paper certificates will not be reissued but digital record will be amended by DVSA

FULL STORY 8

The turbocharger people

BTN Turbo is the only UK supplier of all major turbocharger brands. Technical helpline available for diagnostic information on 01895 466663 or www.btnturbo.com.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Driver jailed for killing RAC worker at roadside 12-month sentence and two-year driving disqualification but family says it's not enough

I work doing the same job and have had so many near misses.

How do people not see an orange or yellow van or truck with flashing orange beacons?

John Dowkes on GW forum.

Recovery worker killed while repairing broken-down vehicle Man found guilty of causing death by careless driving He was distracted by an upcoming race he had gambled on

FULL STORY 10

GONE TO THE POLLS

Coronavirus and the automotive aftermarket Initial garage reaction

0 2 0 2 / 3 / 7 AS OF: 2

Workshops still open for business

51% 15% 34% 73% 27% reported “business as usual” but concerned about the weeks ahead

said it was “business as usual” and expected it to “blow over” soon

said it was already effecting business

remain open

have closed

Statement: Garage Wire aims to keep trade connected during tough times Garage Wire managing director, James Onions outlines how hope to support the UK’s independent aftermarket.

FULL STORY 11

HOT TOPICS

Six-month MOT extension sparks mixed reaction Independent garages speak out following the shock announcement Independents carry out over 80 per cent of the UK’s 30 million yearly MOT tests

Many fear the sixmonth extension will have a detrimental impact

Others back the government’s announcement

I'm really pleased about the decision, vulnerable customers coming in for an MOT is an unnecessary risk.

Matt Booth on Facebook.

How can we stay open and pay staff when our main source of income is going to be severely reduced?”

Tim Williams on GW forum.

FULL STORY 12

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BRAND NEWS

OESAA postpones Autoinform Live Ireland event to take place on September 26-27

FULL STORY

Borg & Beck highlights braking offering Range consists of more than 4,400 references

FULL STORY

The Parts Alliance to send Queensway Auto Repairs to Le Mans Prize includes on-circuit accommodation, track entry and grandstand tickets

FULL STORY 14

E

TOMOTIV NEW AU WELDER RANGE

INVERTER

T C U D O R P NEW !

W O N E L AVAILAB Contact: 01509 500500 | email: new@sip-group.com and quote ref: GW for more details

www.sip-group.com | machinery specialists since 1968

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ANDY PARSONS OPINION

Every review counts because a good reputation will protect against naysayers GW columnist Andy Parsons talks customer complaints Every garage has the occasional come-back but it’s how it's dealt that matters.

FULL STORY 16

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Diesel injector seat cleaner set saving Get a free diesel injector nozzle cleaner

MORE DETAILS

FROM: Sykes-Pickavant

Boost earnings with Carbon Clean network Clean blocked DPFs and provide engine carbon cleaning services

MORE DETAILS

FROM: Carbon Clean

ADAS kit available for workshop demos New demo van available for workshops to book

MORE DETAILS

FROM: TEXA 17

READER REVIEW

TechMan garage management system Hereford independent attributes major profit boost to TechMan efficiency gains

5.0 TechMan is vital to my business, I couldn’t survive without it.

Gerry Doverman, Gerry Doverman Ltd.

FULL STORY

TechMan website 18

Walnuts are for squirrels.

CV Se Sh e us ow a ,N t EC

BG Products are for GDI! BG Direct Injection Fuel System Service • BG Air Intake Cleaning System proven alternative to shell blasting • Direct Injection engines particularly susceptible to intake valve deposits forming and are labour intensive to manually clean

• Solve driveability issues on modern direct injection engines, • Resolve poor fuel/air mix due to large deposits on intake valves, and • Avoid expensive engine strip-downs.

FREE On-vehicle service demonstration available - Speak to your BG Rep or call 01284 777934 Leaders in automotive solutions and improving garage profitability www.bgprod.co.uk | T: 01284 777934 | Email: info@bgprod.co.uk

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READER REVIEW

Launch X431 Pro 4 diagnostic tool Tim Benson of Oldfields Garage reports back to GW Views following his long-term review

4.5 As a garage owner, good coverage is important and so is being intuitive to use.

FULL STORY

Shop online 20

TECH TIPS

Recurring brake judder solved with hub run out measurement Underlying issue went unnoticed with discs and pads replaced six times before Apec TechMate found FULL source of problem STORY

Not all thermostats are created equal Dayco discusses integrated thermostat housings and MAP thermostats controlled and activated FULL via ECU STORY

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WHEEL BEARING KITS

ROLLING FORWARD WITH NAPA. Napa has now launched a range of over 340 Wheel Bearing Kits in the UK • A comprehensive range • Rigorously tested products • Competitive prices • Products developed to OE specifications • NAPA 3 year / 36,000 miles warranty, parts without labour.

• A service backed by 94 years of experience in the US

Tested to the limit for: • Hub durability and fatigue • Bearing durability • Seal durability and performance • Stud twist-off

Visit www.NAPAautoparts.eu to find your local stockist.

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AARON PHILLIPS OPINION

Catalytic converter and DPF thefts is an ever-increasing problem GW columnist, Aaron Phillips is seeing more vehicles in his workshop that have been targeted

Thieves are getting more brazen about their approach.

FULL STORY 23

TECH TIPS

How to avoid 'impact damage' turbo failure 95 per cent of turbo failures are caused by problems with oil starvation, oil contamination or foreign FULL object damage STORY

“Intensive cleaning� needed to keep engines running efficiently, experts say Problems caused by carbon deposits now widely accepted

FULL STORY 24

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EVENTS

Registrations open for Blackpool’s REPXPERT Academy LIVE Roadshow continues with third training day to be held on 20 June 2020 I’ve never attended an event as good as this for free.

Dean Peters, DMG Autocare.

FULL STORY

MORE DETAILS 26

EVENTS

REPXPERT Academy LIVE Basingstoke highlights

More than 70 technicians sampled the latest Schaeffler technical training modules We’ve learnt a lot and we’ll be taking it back to our workshop and putting it into practice.

Andy Simpson, Lushington Motors, Eastbourne.

FULL STORY

MORE DETAILS 27

BRAND NEWS

Rise of connected cars makes access to tech data “more important than ever” Independent Garage Association calls for fair competition to be maintained ahead of Block Exemption expiry

FULL STORY

Schaeffler uploads LuK clutch replacement guides to REPXPERT Step-by-step guides now a permanent fixture on Schaeffler’s workshop portal

FULL STORY

NEW! Online Garage Management Software > We’ve taken all the best features of our garage software and packaged them up into our new, low-cost online software. > The most intuitive and efficient product on the market, over 25 years of experience in garage software design has sculptured AIT Online into a class-leading product.

Only £20 pm! > Garage Invoicing - Rapid document creation - one-click conversion of job cards to invoices > Advanced Diary - Schedule your jobs and your technicians from anywhere > Booking, MOT & Service Reminders - Send email or SMS reminders without leaving your software > VRM & Postcode Lookup - Identify your customer’s vehicles and addresses quickly and easily. > SMS messaging - Great for keeping in touch when they can’t take a call > MOT & Service History - Your one-stop-shop for all your customer information > A Garage Software Dashboard - A complete overview of your business > Export to Accounts - Integrated export function to Sage, Xero, Quickbooks & MTT AlO Accounts > Reporting - From sales to stock, it’s got the lot

Find out more

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TONY VINCENT OPINION

What was wrong with the old MOT manual?

GW columnist Tony Vincent shares his MOT gripes

The annual assessment seems to be more focused on tripping up testers with word play.

FULL STORY 29

WORK. LEARN. INFORM.

Our LuK, INA and FAG innovative precision components are not only fitted by leading vehicle manufacturers, they are also the first choice of professional mechanics.

But Schaeffler is about more than just OE parts, we are also the ‘Repair Experts’, with a dedicated technical training team to back up our world class products with world class service, training and tools - like REPXPERT. REPXPERT is a free workshop portal with built-in TecDoc catalog, TecRMI fitting guides and specs, labour times, bonus shop and lots more. You can also now use the fantastic REPXPERT app, which makes finding the info you need even easier!

Download now, or register at www.repxpert.co.uk

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BRAND NEWS

Blue Print reveals latest new-to-range braking parts Pads, discs and brake cables among latest range additions

FULL STORY

EDT Automotive sponsors WhoCanFixMyCar Awards GP Autocare Ltd named Best Garage North East

FULL STORY 31

There are over 10 million reasons why we’re No.1 Last year over 10 million Apec brake parts were fitted across the UK and Ireland.

That’s one each second of every working day.

What makes us so popular? It’s the precision manufacturing that ensures Apec parts fit first time, every time. With a friction and hydraulic range to suit every car and LCV you’re likely to see in your workshop.

Plus our commitment to constantly enhancing our service, value and quality.

We’ve become No.1 by being the best. And you only stay the best by trying harder.

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