December/January 2022

www.aftermarketonline.net DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022 AFTERMARKET 3 CONTENTS BUSINESS 8 Big issue: What will we do in 2022? 14 Adam Bernstein: Unfortunate events 16 Tina Drayson: Trade rates 18 MEWA: Sustainability 20 Advertising feature: Distrigo 22 Autumn Budget: The sector reacts 24 Go Inspire Group: Paid search strategy TOP TECHNICIAN/TOP GARAGE 26 Top Technician 2022 begins TECHNICAL 28 LKQ Euro Car Parts: E10 30 Frank Massey: Diesel emissions; Part one 32 Snap-on: Prius High voltage system fault 36 Neil Currie: Are you experienced? 38 All mod cons: EV revolution 40 Kalimex: Specialist training and DPFs IN FOCUS 42 Fuel systems and cleaners 44 ADAS/Wheel alignment 46 Bodyshop 48 Training and apprenticeships 50 Diagnostic tools 52 Winter checks 54 Trade clubs PLUS... 56 Competition/General products 58 Garage visit: Kevin Toms 60 EVs and hybrids 62 Training 64 Recruitment 66 Teabreak 67 Buyers guide 20/22-VISION Editor | Alex Wells alex@aftermarket.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 345 Contributors Adam Bernstein | Damien Coleman | Colin Cottrell | Neil Currie Tina Drayson | Patrick Headley | Frank Massey | Ella Pumford Mike Schlup | Günes Yenen Sales Manager | Daniella Gavin Daniella@aftermarket.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 349 Managing 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 Project Liaison Manager | Emma Floyd emma.floyd@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Finance Manager | Caren Brown caren.brown@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Chief Executive | 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 2019 to June 2020 23,616 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 2021. H ere we are then, the end of the year. Did you enjoy it? Well, at least you were let out for most of it. From the faraway viewpoint of mid-November (we tend to do the mag quite a way in advance) it even seems like Christmas might happen. After the last 22 months though, fingers crossed eh? Did you notice that this issue is a bit fatter than usual? No, the mag hasn’t started on the mince pies a month early. It is the result of our brand-new buyers guide; The whole sector in just a few handy pages. Please turn to page 67 and beyond, to find out more. With a view to looking ahead to 2022, we have asked a number of the representative organisations how they see the next 12 months panning out, and what trends we will be seeing. You will find that in a particularly big edition of Big Issue on pages 8-13. In an echo of that, on pages 22-23 we find out how major names in the sector reacted to the Autumn Budget. Taking things back into the workshop from a business perspective, Tina Drayson from CCM is this month’s Garage Inspector Graduate, and she is asking some searching questions about trade rates. Why are they offered? Is it really helping anyone? That is on pages 16-17. Adam Bernstein returns for the second part of his two-parter on planning for the unexpected on page 14. We had planned ahead for that. We were also working on the basis that MEWA were back again this issue. This time, the focus is on sustainability in the workshop. That is on page 18. Actually, there are two kinds of sustainability under discussion this issue, as over in the technical section Kalimex have a piece looking at sustainability, specialist training and DPFs. You will find that on pages 40-41. Staying on the technical front, LKQ Euro Car Parts are wading into the issue of E10 petrol and how to deal with it. That is on page 28. In contrast, for Frank Massey it is all about diesel emissions, as he starts a new two-parter on the topic. That is on pages 30-31. Then, on pages 32-34 Damien Coleman from Snap-on gives us the lowdown on a high voltage problem on a Toyota Prius. Can we chuck any more powertrains at you? Why, yes we can, as there is a piece on the EV revolution on pages 38-39, examining the importance of home-charging as part of the equation. “All mod cons” and all that. Of course, it’s not what you’ve got, it’s knowing how to use it that makes a difference. On that basis, you should check out our latest piece from Neil Currie where he discusses the importance of applying one’s accrued experience to the diagnostic task at hand. That is on pages 36-37. We also have features on fuel systems and cleaners, ADAS and wheel alignment, bodyshop equipment, training and apprenticeships, diagnostic tools, winter checks and trade clubs. We did get out and about in recent weeks, including a visit to see 2021 Top Technician Kevin Toms. You will find that on pages 58-59. Speaking of Top Technician, we know that many of you are absolutely gagging to get on with the competition for 2022. In that case, turn to page 26 right now to find out how to enter. Anyway, dear reader, that’s it for 2021. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year, and we will see you in print for the February issue.