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Dates and changes As a result of the continuing effect of COVID-19 on the automotive sector and wider society, Top Technician and Top Garage 2020 are being merged with the 2021 competitions. In addition, the Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Evening will now take place on Saturday 9 October 2021, almost exactly a year later than previously announced. Current contestants in Top Technician and Top Garage will automatically roll forward to the same point in next year’s competition. Due to the nature of Top Technician, no new entrants will be taken for the competition for the combined 2020/2021 run, which is at the live semi-final stage. However, Top Garage 2021 will run as normal from November. Businesses that take part will compete against those who have already secured their places in the late stages of Top Garage 2020. Top Technician and Top Garage are sponsored by Snap-on, Varta, TechMan and LKQ Euro Car Parts, and come to you in association with ABC Awards, ADS, the Garage Equipment Association (GEA), the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) and the Independent Garage Association (IGA). For more information, turn to page 30. MOT calibration: Snap-on support Snap-on is offering MOT testing stations the opportunity to sidestep the need to source calibration for existing equipment via a special offer on a fully calibrated SUN DGA5000 emissions analyser. The company says the equipment can be up and running within days of orders being received, and that those who take up the offer will pay nothing for 90 days. When payment is due, it will be interest- free, with a range of payment options available. Since the end of the MOT exemption, the number of motorists seeking tests has risen significantly, and in a Special Notice DVSA acknowledged that MOT testing stations may find it difficult to get equipment calibrated. While some leeway was permitted if there was proof that a testing station had a calibration booked, it was also pointed out that business unable to prove their equipment has been calibrated and is functioning normally would not be allowed to perform testing. Commenting on Snap-on’s offer, UK General Manager Mark Ost said: “We can provide you with our industry-leading SUN DGA5000 emissions analyser. You pay nothing for 90 days, ensuring you can generate some much-needed revenue without the worry of having to make a large lump sum payment straight away. “With over 500,000 consumers choosing to defer their MOT tests, we know this has been a very challenging time for the whole garage industry. “The positive news is that industry experts expect that the volume of MOT tests to be carried out from August to early 2021 will be over 2.5 times the usual activity, which will hopefully result in tremendous revenue opportunities.” Mark added: “We know that the demand for the SUN DGA5000 will be high and so in order to meet our customers’ needs, we have been working hard to build up a stock of available product. Place your order now to ensure you get one of these units before supplies are gone.” To find out more about the offer, call 01553 692422, alternatively, email techsales.uk@snapon.com or visit https://www.snapon.com/diagnostics/uk/MOT-support MONTH 2017 AFTERMARKET 3 www.aftermarketonline.net SEPTE BER 2020 AFTERMARKET 5