October 2017

Ben’s 'Hats on 4 Mental Health Day' fundraiser returns NEWS Mechanics at two Sheffield businesses have been given a two year testing ban after the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) found that they were marketing diesel particulate filter (DPF) removal services. First, DPF Solutions Sheffield Ltd was caught offering DPF removals. Subsequently the DVSA uncovered ‘sister company’ MB Services Yorkshire advertising the same service. MB Services Yorkshire’s owner Mark Brace, 54, claimed that the firms were unconnected but the investigation revealed that the two firms shared the same address and some of the same staff and shareholders. This included Mr Brace’s sons, Ricky Brace, 33, and Ross Brace, 31. The two companies regularly ‘recommended’ each other on social media, boasting that their DPF removal services were “MOT friendly” and “hard to notice.” Ricky and Ross Brace’s authorisation to conduct MOTs has been removed for two years and Mark Brace’s by 28 days. DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said: “We’ll withdraw the right to provide MOTs, and even prosecute garages who fail to meet the required standards, including those who pose a risk to air quality by removing DPFs or installing emissions ‘cheat’ devices.” Garages and testing stations have had to check for a DPF as part of the MOT since February 2014. At the time, DVSA formally notified MOT garages that if they offered a DPF removal service the agency would consider that this brought the MOT scheme into disrepute. Last year (2016/17), 761 warnings or disqualifications were issued to MOT garages or testers who carried out improper tests that endanger road users. This year's Hats on 4 Mental Health Day, organised by Ben is taking place on 13 October, during the week of World Mental Health Day. The face of the campaign is Mike Brewer, Presenter of TV Show Wheeler Dealers, who was recently announced as a Ben Celebrity Ambassador. Last year's inaugural 'Hats on 4 Mental Health Day' raised over £13,000. Mike Brewer said: "We're calling upon you to get involved in Hats on 4 Mental Health Day because we need your support to raise awareness about such a worthy cause. Let's keep talking about mental health to help prevent people from suffering in silence. So what are you waiting for? Sign up now and get involved. Raise your hats, raise awareness and raise some funds for Ben!" The day is part of Ben's wider mental health campaign during October to December and spotlights how mental health can affect anyone, at any time. How to get involved: Visit www.hatson4ben.co.uk to sign up Wear a hat to work on 13th October Take a photo and post to social media using #HatsOn4MentalHealth Donate £1 to Ben Two-year MOT testing ban for mechanics offering DPF removal 4 AFTERMARKET OCTOBER 2017 www.aftermarketonline.net Cheaters never prosper. Meanwhile, law-abiding garages are making legitimate money from DPF servicing. Find out more in our exhaust system and DPF feature on pages 36-39