AFT_B009

www.aftermarketonline.net SEPTEMBER 2020 AFTERMARKET 3 CONTENTS BUSINESS 8 Big issue: Where now for the MOT? 12 The new role of social media 14 Andy Savva: Wow or WOAH factor? 18 TPS: Genuine heroes 32 SMMT: How to avoid a MOT feast and famine TECHNICAL 20 Frank Massey: Non-intrusive diagnostics 22 Neil Currie: Fault codes: Cracking the nut 26 Dayco: Škoda timing belt kit installation 28 Kalimex: Blocked DPFs mean big business IN FOCUS 30 Top Technician and Top Garage 34 Online tools and management systems 38 Bearings 42 Ignition 44 EVs and hybrids PLUS... 47 Competition: TRICO 48 Day in the life: Opus IVS 50 Coronavirus round-up 54 Training update 57 Recruitment: New appointments 58 Teabreak UNLOCK THE DOORS Editor | Alex Wells alex@aftermarket.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 345 Contributors Neil Currie | Nikki Lancaster | Peter Lawton | Frank Massey | Andy Savva | Mike Schulp Commercial Director | Ryan Fuller ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Area Sales Manager | Daniella Gavin Daniella@aftermarket.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 349 Operations Manager | Ewa Hodden ewa.hodden@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Project Liaison Manager | 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 2018 to June 2019 20,019 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 2020. S o, it’s been two months since I last spoke to you from this page. When our July/August double issue was going out, non-essential shops had opened, but many businesses were still closed. The MOT exemption was still running as well, with no end in sight, which would be having an impact on ongoing road safety. Since that issue came out, the MOT is fully back, back with a vengeance actually if the expected number of additional MOTs being sought over the next few months becomes a reality. Lockdown eased all over, although as we went to press the brakes were being put on by government in order to mitigate any rising COVID-19 spikes. With this in mind, Aftermarket has also decided to shift Top Technician and Top Garage 2020 into 2021 in order to give everyone taking part the best experience. You can read more about how this will work on page 30. Onto the rest of the issue. The return of the MOT to normal service led to some questions around the office about whether this provided an opportunity to change the way the test is perceived and run. We thought we would ask some people in the know what they think. You can find out what they said on pages 8-11. Then, on pages 32-33, Peter Lawton from the SMMT discusses how garages can make the most of the burgeoning MOT opportunity, once they get that throng of customers to form an orderly, socially distanced queue, metaphorically speaking. On the business side, we have a very interesting piece from Search Laboratory on the importance of social media. That’s on page 12. Then, Andy Savva is asking if your business has the wow factor or the WOAH factor. See where you stand by turning to pages 14-16. Going over to the technical side, on pages 20-21, Frank Massey is looking at non-intrusive diagnostic techniques, while on pages 22-25, Top Technician 2019 winner Neil Currie looks at how you can crack those pesky fault codes. We next have a handy Dacyo installation, focusing on the Škoda Octavia timing belt kit. That is on pages 26-27. This is followed by piece from Kalimex MD Mike Schlup where he speaks to DPF Doctor Network member Barry Lawson of Ewan Lawson Motors, looking at how make the most of DPF issues heading your way. That is on pages 28-29. You want more? Well, it has been a couple of months. To keep you busy, we have features on online tools and management systems, bearings, ignition and EVs and hybrids. We also spend a virtual day with Opus IVS, as our Day in the life series returns in a new form. Just in case you haven’t heard the words COVID-19 and Coronavirus often enough lately, we have our round-up of all updates relevant to the sector. We’re glad to be back, and we’re glad to be keeping you all informed and hopefully entertained occasionally as well. Enjoy!

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=