Government permits car repair and MOT services to continue
With the entire UK now back under some form of lockdown, independent garages across nation remain open and are continuing to deal with a backlog of MOTs.
Government clarification on the position of vehicle repair and MOT services has been widely welcomed by the aftermarket with Public Health England permitting workshops to stay open during the lockdown.
Stuart James, chief executive of the Independent Garage Association said: “We thank the government for their clarity on this matter.
“Garages are still busy catching up with the backlog of MOTs that the extension caused earlier this year.
“Now independent garages can continue to do what they do best – keep their customers safely on the road while providing outstanding value for money.”
The DVSA has declined to answer questions about a possible reintroduction of an extension to MOT expiry dates, as was seen during the UK’s initial lockdown earlier this year.
Such a move “would only cause confusion among consumers and put law-abiding vehicle owners at risk of significant fines by leaving cars unchecked,” Stuart warned.
This autumn’s MOT demand – a result of the six-month MOT exemption introduced during the UK’s spring lockdown – was forecast to reach its peak in November.
Many garages have reported that it’s currently ‘business as usual’ and ‘busier than ever’.
Commenting on Facebook, Sean Savage said: “I wish they would give another six months to be fair to get everything back in line, [otherwise] this time every year is going to be unmanageable.
“Something will need to be done long term, I’ve never turned as much work down as I have in the last four weeks.”
The Parts Alliance support
The Parts Alliance has confirmed that all its branches are to remain open throughout the national lockdown in England.
The nationwide distributor has reassured workshops that its entire network will continue to be fully operational.
In a statement, a spokesperson for The Parts Alliance said: “Many workshops are experiencing an uplift in MOT’s and may have concerns about parts availability over the coming weeks following the government’s announcement.
“As ever staff will continue to follow an array of strict safety measures, to keep customers safe when receiving parts from their local branch.”
The Parts Alliance is encouraging garages to visit its COVID-19 support section of its online Support Zone, which contains useful guidance and a range of downloadable resources.
These include social distancing, face covering and sanitisation best practice posters.
Furlough extension
Initially extended until 2 December 2020, The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will now run until the end of March 2021 with employees receiving 80 per cent of their current salary for hours not worked.
Employers will only be asked to cover national insurance and employer pension contributions for hours not worked.
Similarly, support for millions more workers through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will be increased, with the third grant covering November to January calculated at 80 per cent of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500.
Lockdown latest across the UK
The latest restrictions in England, which came into force yesterday (Thursday 5 November), require people to stay at home, except for specific purposes and has forced certain businesses and venues to close.
Those ordered to close include all non-essential retail, including, but not limited to clothing and electronics stores, vehicle showrooms, travel agents, betting shops, auction houses, tailors, car washes, tobacco and vape shops.
Scotland’s latest restrictions, a regional five tier system, came into force on Monday 2 November.
People from areas under level 3 restrictions – more than half of Scotland’s 32 local authorities – have been told to make only essential journeys outside their council area.
Wales is under lockdown until Monday 9 November which has also forced the closure of non-essential businesses.
