June 2019

www.aftermarketonline.net JUNE 2019 AFTERMARKET 3 CONTENTS BUSINESS 8 Big issue: MOT Risk Ratings 12 Neil Pattemore: BER – What next? 16 Andy Savva: Diamonds in the database 18 Business advice TECHNICAL 20 Hannah Gordon: MOT-ivating basic checks 22 John Batten: The secret – Process 24 Frank Massey: Attitudes to training IN FOCUS 26 Top Technician 2019: Semi final 28 Top Technician/Top Garage Gala Dinner 30 Automechanika Birmingham 2019 Preview 48 Diagnostics 50 Clutch and transmission 54 Garage management systems 56 Lifts and jacks PLUS... 58 General products 59 Competition: Dayco 60 Garage visit: Town Car Sales 62 Training update 64 Recruitment – New appointments 66 Teabreak PEAK OF THE YEAR Editor | Alex Wells alex@aftermarket.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 345 Sales Manager | Claire Hodder claire@aftermarket.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 349 Contributors John Batten | Hannah Gordon | Frank Massey | Neil Pattemore | Andy Savva Commercial Director | Ryan Fuller ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Operations Manager | Ewa Hodden ewa.hodden@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Operations Administrator | Emma Floyd emma.floyd@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Finance Manager | Clare Jackson clare.jackson@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Publishing Director | Ian Atkinson ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Published by | DFA Media Ltd 192 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1BE Alex Wells, Editor Average net circulation July 2017 to June 2018 21,503 aftermarketmagazine @aftermarket01 ISSN 2516-9149 Aftermarket is published 10 times a year and is sent free of charge to applicants meeting the publisher’s criteria. All others may subscribe at £60 per anum, £120 Europe and £150 rest of the world. While every care is taken to provide accurate information, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or ommisions, no matter how caused. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior consent of the publisher. The views of contributors do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Copyright: DFA MEDIA LTD 2018. W elcome to the June issue of Aftermarket. We have a lot crammed into our pages this month, but then again a lot is happening this month. For Aftermarket, the biggest thing would be the finals for Top Technician and Top Garage 2019, taking place at the RMI Academy of Skills in Southam on Saturday 22 June. When you factor in the Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Dinner 2019 too, taking place that evening at the Jurys Inn in Milton Keynes, then you know that is a big day, and a bigger night. The winners for the competitions will be announced at the dinner. While tickets are going fast, there are still a few left for you to grab. Turn to page 28 for details on how to book. Don’t forget to turn to pages 26-27 to see what went down at the Top Technician semi final, held at Auto iQ last month. There were no injuries, but plenty of excitement. Before the finals and the Awards Dinner, earlier in the month, there is something else of note, a little thing called Automechanika Birmingham 2019. The show has returned to the NEC for its fourth outing. It won’t be back until 2021 either, so make sure you get yourself there. Aftermarket is supporting the event as before, and we have the Aftermarket Seminar Theatre again this year. Many of you may have picked up this issue as you entered the show, so make sure to turn to pages 30-47 for our monster preview. This includes a complete list of exhibitors and seminars, a floorplan and details on what to expect from some of the key participants. It is exciting, it is our whole industry under one roof, and we look forward to seeing you there. Beyond Top Technician, Top Garage and Automechanika Birmingham, we have a few other things to attract your interest. Neil Pattemore is continuing his look at the impact of Block Exemption, and what a revised BER might look like for the sector. That is on pages 12-14. A little closer to home, Andy Savva is showing how every business database contains a treasure trove of information on pages 16-17. On the technical front, Hannah Gordon is back, looking at how little many motorists understand about their cars. That is on page 20. Following the Top Technician 2019 semi final, John Batten is showing how having a solid process is the route to success in the competition, and on a day- to-day basis in the workshop. That is on pages 22-23. Speaking of success in the workshop, Frank Massey is considering the importance of having a positive attitude to training. That is on pages 24-25. On top of that, we have features on diagnostics, clutch and transmission, garage management systems and lifts and jacks. We also fitted in time to zoom over to Enfield to see Top Technician 2019 semi-finalist Gary Brillus at his business, Town Car Sales. We have given you a lot to digest this month, so get reading, and we will see you at Automechanika Birmingham. Alex Wells Editor