LKQ urges fair SERMI access for UK independents
10 December 2025 
LKQ UK and Ireland has welcomed the launch of SERMI in Great Britain — and made a fresh call for closer alignment with the EU and Northern Ireland to ensure fair access for independent garages.
SERMI provides a secure way for technicians to access the vehicle data they need from OE manufacturers to deliver security-related repairs, including key programming and anti-theft system maintenance.
Already mandatory across the EU and Northern Ireland, the framework protects motorists’ data while allowing independent garages to keep more jobs in house.
And with participation in Great Britain currently voluntary, LKQ UK and Ireland is urging vehicle manufacturers to adopt the scheme to ensure independent garages have access to the information they need.
‘Vital role’
Kevan Wooden (pictured), chief executive at LKQ UK & Ireland, said: “Independent garages play a vital role in keeping the UK on the road. To stay competitive, they must have secure and fair access to the same information and systems as franchised workshops. SERMI provides a clear and proven framework to achieve that.
“OEMs are already legally required to implement SERMI across the EU and Northern Ireland. And participating voluntarily in Great Britain, by extending existing systems in place elsewhere, would signal openness and fairness from automakers to the aftermarket and its customers.”
Wooden said he had received confirmation from transport minister, Lilian Greenwood, that while the government does not currently intend to mandate SERMI in Great Britain – unlike Europe and Northern Ireland – it does expect every vehicle manufacturer to give access to repair.
“I also had the privilege of talking to the IAAF, IGA and SMMT together, as our major supporters of the independent aftermarket. We all believe it makes sense to have as much alignment as possible across Europe and for the GB SERMI scheme to have support.”
Having one common standard for protecting vehicle security reduces administration for everyone and creates improved protection and service to the consumer, manufacturer, and garage alike, Wooden said.