Professional Motor Mechanic

The industry needs more apprentices, no one can dispute that. However, it’s easier said than done and many small independent workshops struggle to find, hire and retain younger staff – let alone train them up! We visited an apprentice, Tia Marsh and her tutor at East Coast College, Matt Yeldham, to see what some of the challenges facing apprentices themselves were. Throughout this episode, you will be confronted with an interesting, funny and moving portrait of the industry we all work to improve every day. 

The classic car market is a growing one, bringing a touch of prestige to drivers across the country. But who are those drivers? And is it true that the classic car owner is still primarily a DIYer tinkering away in the garage?  

Well, to answer those questions and get a better idea of what opportunity classic car repair and maintenance offers to independent garages, we travelled to Clayton Classics in Coventry to speak to Director Dean Allsop. Listen to this episode to find out more. 

Father-son garages are the powerhouse behind the independent aftermarket. They provide a rock solid base on which UK car repair not only survives, but thrives. How many times do you come across a garage owned by a father whose son also helps out on the workshop floor? It seems that car repair is particularly likely to feature that familial bond that just adds a little warmth to the working day. But what happens when the time comes to pass that garage down to the next generation? How easy is it to relinquish control and place the fate of your workshop in the hands of the next generation?  

This is what we spoke to Tom Cockings, from Robert Cockings Motor Repair about. Tom is a great example of a son who has taken the family garage to new heights without losing sight of what made it great in the first place. Listen to this episode to hear Tom’s story.  

Also in this episode, Tom Henman, editor of Professional Motor Factor magazine, chats to WAI’s Richard Welland about his role and how the brand is engaging with motor factors.  

That the automotive aftermarket is in the midst of a skills crisis can hardly be doubted. Many workshops are complaining that they don’t have the staff to keep up with the amount of work they are presented with and tales are often told of technicians who have left the industry for far easier jobs elsewhere, pocketing more each month in the process. In times like these, the knee-jerk reaction is to raise wages and attract more staff. The only problem is that wages have gone up, quite considerably in fact, and still the problem of attracting new staff – and new blood – into the industry persists.  

So what to do about? Well that’s the topic we are exploring on the PMM Podcast this month. PMM editor Kieran Nee caught up with three figures from across the industry to find out what they think could provide an answer to the crisis. So if you want to learn about some of the most forward-thinking approaches to attracting and retaining staff, listen to this episode! 

This episode is sponsored by LKQ-Euro Car Parts. 

The Government has now published its findings and response to last year’s consultation and call for evidence on the MOT, looking at the frequency of the test and what amendments and updates the DVSA could make to the test to bring into line with current passenger vehicle landscape. But whilst the Government is focussing on the cars and technology of the future, are they forgetting what makes the MOT work in the first place? Namely the thousands of MOT testers themselves, many of whom often feel frustrated that their experiences and opinions are being ignored.  

In this episode, you’ll hear from Protech Academy’s Leigh Marsden and Kallum Dorman about the issues surrounding training and assessment, as well as the debates surrounding the maximum fee and a lack of face-to-face contact with the DVSA.  

Also, Hayley Pells from the IMI discusses the role the Government plays in the MOT and what the IMI is doing to ensure independent workshops are being heard.

Like ‘em or loathe ‘em, EVs are out driving around on British roads as we speak and many of them are now outside of their manufacturer warranty period. What does this mean? Well, according to EV specialist Matt Cleevely, this offers the perfect opportunity for independent garages like yours to make some money, which is always a good thing! 

This episode, Freya catches up with Matt Cleevely to see what the fuss is about EVs (spoiler – they’re really fun to drive), whilst Kieran visits our new headline sponsor LKQ Euro Car Parts to find out what they’re doing to support independent garages looking to go electric.

This month the PMM Podcast team are setting out to answer a simple question: Are fake parts on the rise? The answer is, of course, anything but simple.  

In this episode you will find out what manufacturers, trade organisations and even the police are doing to tackle illegitimate parts infiltrating the aftermarket.  

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, the temptation to cut corners grows ever stronger. Yet, as the conversations in this episode of the podcast prove, when it comes to fake parts, if something feels too good to be true, it usually is.

Featuring:  

Stuart James, IGA (Independent Garage Association) 

Richard Armstrong, Lumileds (UK Distributors of Phillips Bulbs) 

Ron Merralls, Niterra (formerly NGK) 

Mike Sadler, Denso Aftermarket 

Siti Abdullah, Brembo Brakes 

Matthew Ellis, Comline/Allied Nippon 

Tom Cockings, Robert Cockings Motor Repair

It’s time to start rethinking health and wellbeing in the automotive aftermarket. Too often discussions around mental health are held in isolation from all the other issues that affect our overal health and wellbeing. It’s time to acknowledge that how healthy we are physically, how satisfied we are professionally and how comfortable we are financially can all impact our mental health. Whether it be stress, anxiety or even depression, the root cause could be found in your workshop.  

Luckily, we in the aftermarket have access to one of the best health and wellbeing charities around: BEN.

In this episode of the PMM Podcast, Kieran sits down with BEN’s Rachel Clift to discover how our working lives can impact our wellbeing and what BEN is actively doing to help technicians in need. And remember, you can call on BEN anytime you think you need to: don’t wait ‘till it’s too late! 

Also in this episode, the IGA’s Stuart James  

You can contact BEN in the following ways:

Call: 08081 311 333

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://ben.org.uk/

Are you ready for the UK’s longest-running aftermarket trade show next month? Listen to this month’s episode of the PMM Podcast to get revved up for Mechanex, taking place at Sandown Park Racecourse, 7-8th November.  

Hear what show sponsors Mann+Hummel and Alldata are bringing and why they think Mechanex-PMM Live is an opportunity you can’t afford to miss. We also speak to seminar speaker Darren Darling about DPFs and how following a set process can change your business.  

And if that wasn’t enough exhaust talk for you, PMF editor Tom Henman sits down with BM Cats’ Mark Blinston to get his opinions on the importance of motor factors. 

In this episode of the Professional Motor Mechanic Podcast, PMM’s Editor Kieran Nee interviews the automotive aftermarket’s numbers man – Quentin Le Hetet, Country Director UK at GiPA.

Since the pandemic and to now as we’re navigating the depths of the cost-of-living crisis, it can often feel like garages barely keeping their heads above water. However, Quentin is here to tell us that this might actually be the time for independent garages to thrive. The ageing car parc coupled with drivers continuing to spend money on their cars whilst cutting back in other areas, means UK independent garages are in a position to ‘clean up’. 

Also in this episode, join Professional Motor Factor editor Tom Henman as he catches up with Jane, a regional BDM for Motor Parts Direct about the importance of upholding customer relationships and we hear from Kirsty about the latest news from the aftermarket.