The following businesses have been named as the winners of Top Garage 2022, as has the first ever winner of the brand-new Top Service Adviser award.

Business with 1-3 staff
A&J Fleetcare, Leeds

The winner and runner up for Top Technician 2022 have been announced. Andrew West from Erme Valley Autos in Ermington, Devon is 2022’s champion. Meanwhile, John Hall from Thirsk, Yorkshire came second.

Garages across the UK have been celebrating after winning in a recent NGK BoxClever promotion. Members of NGK’s BoxClever scheme, who are able to accrue points that win prizes when they return the boxes, were recently getting double points, earning 300 points for every NTK Lambda sensor purchased and 200 points for every camshaft and crankshaft or MAF and MAP sensor fitted. Each time they purchased one of the products they were also entered into a free prize draw where the ten lucky winners each received 50,000 points.

LKQ Euro Car Parts has launched a new, trade-only battery range under its Starline banner that includes conventional, absorbed glass mat batteries (AGM) and enhanced flooded batteries (EFB) The range also takes into account the need for batteries that facilitate Stop/Start functionality.

Energy support packages and tax cuts will mean nothing to independent aftermarket businesses the IAAF has warmed, unless the sector gets reassurance on key issues such as MOT frequency and motor vehicle block exemption regulations (MVBER) along with specific legislation around these areas to provide stability.

Garages that service older vans for business customers around Bradford could see some changes, with the Bradford Clean Air Zone (CAZ) having gone live on Monday 26 September. As a C+ Clean Air Zone, while passenger cars are exempt, commercial vehicle operators will need to make sure they are compliant.

Used car buyer interest in EVs has risen by a third since May, according to the latest results from the Startline Used Car Tracker. Each month, consumers are asked about their used car fuel preference. For September, 23% opted for electric, up from 17% in May when the question was originally asked.

57% agreed with the statement that EVs are “ the future” while 38% said “it is right for the environment.” However, only 4% concurred with the statement “electric vehicles are now affordable.”During the period, preference for petrol has from 39% to 33%. Diesel remained steady at 18%, along with hybrids at 27%.

Trust in internal combustion engine technology was cited by 52% of those who opted for petrol and diesel. A further 38% also agreed with the statement “electric vehicles are too expensive.”

V12 Vehicle Finance has launched a PCP solution. Estelle McConnell, V12 Vehicle Finance Sales Director said: “We created this after listening to a number of dealers, all of whom were calling out for a more flexible way of offering PCP.It will help them to help to put their customers in the most suitable car for them at the lowest monthly payments. Not only will they work more efficiently but, more importantly, they will ultimately close more sales.”

The cost of charging an EV at a public charge point has increased by 42% since May, putting the cost of running an EV on a similar level to a petrol-engine vehicle on a per-mile basis, which could deter drivers from switching the RAC has warned.

Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget was laid out in Parliament today (Friday 23 September), and garnered a mixed reception from the automotive sector.

The finalists for Top Garage 2022 have been announced. The businesses will face the judges in the final on Saturday 1 October, being held at the Delphi Technical Training Centre in Warwick.

The industry has continued to react to the announcement of government support for businesses on energy costs, which was announced by Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg yesterday (Wednesday 21 September).

Garages and other UK businesses are set to see their energy bills reach just half the level predicted for the winter, via government support unveiled today (Wednesday 21 September).

NGK’s iconic mascot Mr Sparky, who is usually seen visiting NGK customers and meeting NGK-sponsored motorsports stars, is set to take part the London Marathon on Sunday 2 October.

97% of companies see trade fairs as an important marketing route, with 86% of exhibitors confirming they carry out new business at Automechanika UK trade events, according to a recent independent survey carried out by Explori.

The IAAF has launched a new training offering; IAAF Academy. Commenting on the new IAAF Academy, IAAF CEO Mark Field said: “From virtual to practical training, the IAAF Academy will cover all areas of an automotive aftermarket business, helping companies and their teams learn and familiarise themselves with new technology and legislation, while also enhancing personal development skills.

The Academy will also look to work closely with schools, colleges and universities, and in collaboration with School of Thought, the not-for-profit organisation that works to raise the profile of the automotive aftermarket within schools and colleges. As part of the venture, the IAAF has set up partnerships with Heart of Worcestershire College, West Notts College, and East Coast College.

Avia Autos’ Hayley Pells has taken on a new role as Policy Manage for the IMI. In the position, she will have a key role in guiding the IMI’s lobbying activities, with gathering information and insight for the IMI response to the Competition and Markets Authority consultation on Block Exemption a key early task.

The finalists for Top Technician 2022, who will be returning to the Delphi Technical Training Centre on Saturday 1 October for the final, are as follows:

Nissens Automotive (Nissens) is forging ahead with its intense product and service extensions, which it will showcase at this year’s Automechanika Frankfurt.

These portfolio product extensions confirm the premium quality component manufacturer’s strong commitment to expanding its footprint in the automotive aftermarket and support the needs of its wholesale distribution partners by growing their sales potential with new products, many of which will reflect the innovations that play an increasingly important role in the aftermarket with new technology vehicles.

Ongoing component electrification
Electronically-controlled system components, which offer improved efficiency and optimised control, have been an original equipment (OE) feature in vehicle design for a long time. As a result, Nissens has developed the skills and expertise necessary to introduce various new product groups that provide independent workshops with dependable, Nissens Genuine Quality, replacement components for these vehicles.

NGK SPARK PLUG has entered into a strategic partnership with neoplas med GmbH, a German medical company that specialises in innovative cold plasma jet technology which helps in the treatment of wounds.

With parts availability being hindered by a number of factors including post-pandemic adjustments and the impact of the war in Ukraine, LKQ Europe is taking part in a new pilot project in partnership with think tank Project Zebra that is looking to show the way towards more resilient and efficient supply chains.

The worldwide fight against fake parts saw a win in South Africa recently, with the discovery of a haul of counterfeit NSK bearings in Johannesburg.

A new video from DENSO has been produced in association with its motorsport partner Toyota Gazoo Racing to show the importance of efficient thermal management and the impact of hybridisation, using the high pressure environment of the World Rally Championship as an example.

Garages looking for new staff may find that applicants have the advantage, as the number of job vacancies rise and the quantity of filled permanent roles hits the lowest point in 17 months, sector recruitment specialists Glen Callum Associates (GCA) have noted.
A recent report from KPMG indicated that recruiters are struggling to hire new staff, blaming ongoing skills shortages, among many other factors.

SMP Europe is upping its investment into EV parts R&D, with a view to increasing is EV parts coverage.

A selection of cars from the most recent James Bond film No Time To Die that are set to be auctioned next month will be providing a feast for the eye at Silverstone for The Classic over the Bank Holiday weekend (26-28 August).

To celebrate 60 years of James Bond on the big screen, EON Productions and Christie’s are teaming up to present a two-part charity auction with 60 lots. The auction, being held on 28 September will includes seven cars plus a motorbike with starring roles in the 25th Bond film No Time to Die and all eight vehicles will be on public show for the first time at the world’s biggest classic motorsport festival at Silverstone.

Topping the bill at The Classic is an Aston Martin DB5 stunt car as driven by James Bond (Daniel Craig) in the opening chase sequence set in Matera, Italy. The only DB5 stunt car ever released for public sale, it is expected to raise between £1,500,000 and £2,000,000.

Other vehicles from the 2021 film that will be on show at the Classic include the Aston Martin V8 and a Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE, plus Land Rover and Jaguar models driven by 007’s adversaries in the hit film.

Nick Wigley, CEO of The Classic promoter Goose Live Events, commented: “We love celebrating major anniversaries at The Classic, and with our ‘Best of British’ theme, having the opportunity to mark 60 Years of James Bond is very special. It’s the first time these 007 cars will be on display together and we are honoured to host them.”

To obtain tickets for The Classic 2022 at Silverstone, visit: www.silverstone.co.uk/events/the-classic

EVs and hybrids perform very differently in the MOT compared with internal combustion engine vehicles, and a pair of recent studies have highlighted where the divergences are appearing.

WAI has extended its UK warehouse at its HQ in Bognor Regis, with a view to side-stepping cross-border delays. The extension has given the company an extra 10,000 square, which allows for additional racking for more stock space.

Garages in the North of England may be best placed to exploit the UK’s ongoing love affair with convertibles, new research has shown, with Mercedes-Benz convertibles identified as being most popular with British drivers, closely followed by cars from BMW, Audi, and Porsche.

A1 members will now be able to source water pump and timing belt kits from Airtex. The water pump kits include an Airtex OE water pump and a Dayco timing belt, as well as all pulleys and idlers required for a complete system replacement.

500 guests recently gathered at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Accrington-based motor factor Ray’s Garage Supplies.

A quarter of a century on from the launch of the third Oasis album, Be Here Now, which was released 25 years ago this Sunday on 21 August 1997, esteemed rock photographer Michael Spencer Jones is on a mission to find the white Rolls-Royce he used on the album cover.

Staff at LKQ Euro Car Parts have raised over £35,000 to support the relief effort in Ukraine, funding the purchase and delivery of two ambulances, with efforts ongoing to buy more.

Top Technician 2022 semi-finalists announced
The semi-finalists for Top Technician 2022 have been named.
The following mechanics will be competing in the semi-final, which is being held at the Delphi Technologies Training Centre in Warwick on Saturday 3 September.

The skills crisis could reach crisis point by 2031 a new IMI report has warned, with 160,000 vacancies in the automotive sector that will need filling.

A record 10,000,000 bottles of K-Seal permanent coolant leak repair were sold in June 2022 alone, with K-Seal founders Kalimex anticipating even greater sales on the horizon thanks to growing popularity in the U.S.

Garages are more needed than ever by motorists, with 38% of road users admitting they couldn’t change a tyre in an emergency, a new survey has shown.

The return of more than £3.3 billion in unspent Apprenticeship Levy funding to a Treasury “black hole” over the last three years has led to calls from across the automotive sector for the system to be urgently reformed.

Last month’s heatwave led to a ten-fold increase in A/C re-gas booking being made at garages, and with temperatures set to hit 35° this weekend, BookMyGarage.com is urging workshops to be prepared for another rush.

NGK is offering members of its BoxClever independent garage loyalty scheme triple points when they purchase Iridium and Platinum precious metal spark plugs, until the end of 2022.

An image of a wheelie bin in a slide presentation by DPF Doctor Network founder Darren Darling has inspired a member of the extended Kalimex team to create a winning promotional display item to entice potential visitors to cross the threshold at the company’s stand at the many events they attend.

Used car sales dropped by 18.8% in the second quarter of 2022, according to the latest figures from the SMMT, although used battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales were actually up 57.1%, reaching 16,782.

Airtex recently received a Schaeffler Supplier Award.

LKQ Euro Car Parts parent company LKQ Corporation reported organic revenue growth of 3.8% in its second quarter 2022 financial results, in the face of a challenging trading environment.

BM Catalysts has made a six-figure investment in new hi-equipment, a boost that comes hot on the heels of the opening its third UK factory, in Stoke.

V12 Vehicle Finance (V12VF), which has hit three years in business is considering its next move as it celebrates posting £65.4 million in stock funding to used car dealers in 2021. During 2020, it achieved £12.7 million. V12VF also reached another milestone when it broke the £150m stock funding finance barrier since its launch three years ago.

New car sales dropped 9% in July according to the latest figures from the SMMT, hitting just 112,162 cars sold in what was the fifth consecutive month of decline.

Eurorepar Car Service is it hosting a free webinar next week that will help garages assess their digital credentials and consider whether their website is fit for purpose.

The webinar, ‘Motor trade marketing in the digital age with Eurorepar Car Service’, is being held on Monday 8 August at 1pm.

Millennial mechanics feeling nostalgic for the noughties will be sure to be glued to YouTube from later in the month, as MTV UK and eBay revive Pimp My Ride for a new era. A new six-part series, hosted by British rapper Lady Leshurr, will be available on MTV UK’s YouTube channel on Friday 19 August.

Plans to extend London’s Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) next year, are meeting with fierce opposition from businesses in the capital, a survey from the Independent Garage Association (IGA) has found.