www.aftermarketonline.net MAY 2023 AFTERMARKET 3 CONTENTS BUSINESS 8 Big issue: Big fish, little fish, one fish? 10 Spring Budget 2023: Sector reacts 14 EVs: The power of software TOP TECHNICIAN/TOP GARAGE 18 Next steps 20 Delphi Technologies: Keeping up TECHNICAL 22 Aftermarket of the future 24 Frank Massey: A month in the life 26 Neil Currie: Travelling without moving? 30 Andrew Marsh: Dance the night away 32 Repairify: Supply chain issues IN FOCUS 34 Snap-on: Diagnostic focus 36 Tyres and tyre bay 40 Additives and cleaners 44 Remanufactured components 48 Air conditioning 52 Snap-on: A/C focus PLUS... 54 Competition/General products 56 On the road: KCS 58 Garage visit: Billingborough Cars and Commercials 60 EVs and hybrids 62 Training update 64 Recruitment 66 Teabreak WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD? Editor | Alex Wells alex@aftermarket.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 345 Managing Director | Ryan Fuller ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Contributors Neil Currie | Julien Deconinck | Neil Kennett | Andrew Marsh | Frank Massey | Martin Pinnell-Brown | Operations Manager | Emma Floyd emma.floyd@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Marketing Executive | Hope Jepson hope.jepson@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 371081 Finance Department accounts@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 Aftermarket Media Ltd 192 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1BE Alex Wells, Editor Average net circulation July 2021 to June 2022 19,073 @aftermarketmagazine @aftermarket01 @aftermarketmagazine 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 Group 2023. The MOT consultation issued at the start of the year closed at the end of March, as we were putting the May issue of Aftermarket together. While the sector is largely united in its opposition to shifting to a 4-1-1, or worse still, a 4-2-2 pattern, a number of surveys have suggested that motorists may not view the issue in the same way as the industry. Indeed, as far as some are concerned, it is just an awkward bit of annual bureaucracy which they would be happy to lose. Sometimes, it seems like the government views it that way as well, which is unfortunate. The road safety benefits offered by the annual check on a car from when it hits three years old are well-documented, and likely to be responsible for the UK having some of the safest roads in the world. It’s the classic chicken-or-egg situation; Did the MOT make the roads safer by mandating a high level of vehicle maintenance, or is it that people are keeping their cars spick-and-span of their own accord, which provides good levels of MOT compliance? We know it’s the first one don’t we. Alright, let’s ask the ultimate poultry-related question; Why did the chicken cross the road? The answer is obvious; Because all the plus-three years old cars had to take a MOT test, their brakes and the rest of the systems needed to be properly maintained, so our avian friend could risk trotting across, safe in the knowledge that if a car did suddenly appear at the brow of the hill just up the road, it should be able to stop before hitting him. Yes, I know it’s not funny, but road safety isn’t a joke. What does seem like a joke is how often the government has tried to change the frequency of the test, when it is so clear that the benefits so obviously outweigh any negative aspects. For more on the MOT consultation, turn to page 4 in News for a round-up of responses on the issue. Now we wait for the outcome. Fingers crossed everyone. Maintaining high standards across the board is also absolutely vital in a professional sense, which is one of the reasons that both Top Technician and Top Garage were created. As you read this, the first rounds for both competitions will have closed, although if you are one of those lucky people getting their May issue in the last few days of April, there might still be a chance to get into Top Garage before the closing date. Turn to page 18 for more information. Staying on the Top Technician and Top Garage side, we have a look at the importance of staying up to date with tech and training from Full Event Partners Delphi Technologies. You can find that on pages 20-21. If that’s not enough for you, we also dropped in recently to see Billingborough Cars and Commercials, Top Garage 2022 winners in the 4-6 staff members category. You can find that on pages 58-59. Lastly, don’t forget to look both ways before crossing… Enjoy!
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