Autotechnician Magazine

NEWS... The UK’s leading automotive trade event, Automechanika Birmingham 2025 takes place from 3rd to 5th June 2025 at the NEC Birmingham, and designed for independent garages, Auto and MOT Centres, fast fitters, mobile repairers, technicians, workshops and automotive professionals. And it’s time to get revved up as the free ticket box office is now open. With over 50 product launches, exclusive deals and giveaways, garages and workshops visiting this must-attend event can also experience the VIP treatment with free parking, coffee and breakfast. Showgoers can expect more than 500 exhibitors from over 25 countries including Alliance Automotive Group, Autotech Group, Autel, BM Catalysts, Bosch, Brembo, Castrol and The Race Group, Comma, DEWALT Automotive, Draper Tools, ISN Europe, Launch Tech UK, Liqui Moly, LKQ Euro Car Parts, MAHLE Aftermarket, MANN-FILTER, Niterra UK, PPG, Ring/Osram, Sealey, Snap On, TMD Friction and ZF Aftermarket, all showcasing their latest products, technology and advice. https://lnkd.in/efDzUHgi

GREAT NEWS! The March edition of autotechnician magazine is out now to view/download online. In our first printed issue of 2025, we launch our Autotech campaign, which strives to support readers who are keen to develop their knowledge and skills. A new, online assessment joins the free library of test available on autotechnician.co.uk, we welcome this year’s autotech supporters ACTRONICS, ALLDATA, JLM Lubricants and NAPA, and announce the date for our Workshop Takeover in September – turn to page 10 to learn more. We welcome new contributor Tina Drayson, Operations Director of CCM and Head of the Garage Section with the IAAF, who will be delivering valuable insights into the key data points throughout the year that can drive real business improvement, from financial performance to operational efficiency. Her first article ‘Understanding the numbers’ can be found on page 16. Neil Currie, a Master Technician from Southwest Scotland, also joins the autotechnician team this year and will focus on honing your diagnostic skills. Neil provides a cautionary case study from page 50, in which he suggests the value that can be gained from adding an additional step to your diagnostic process. Des Davies provides a comprehensive article on Fuel Trim Analysis from page 18 and our Technical Editor Rob Marshall delves into the consequences of compromise when it comes to lubrication, filters and braking. We hope you enjoy the issue, and let us know how you get on with the new autotech assessment! https://lnkd.in/eSd6Ysm5

ARTICLE... Aftermarket suppliers discuss battery trends to highlight opportunities and replacement parts available to those looking to take on more ambitious EV repairs. The move away from offering good, better and best. Ecobat Battery discuss the trends of battery replacement and advise on how to address the needs of customers as they bring their vehicles in for service or repair. Although the vehicle manufacturers’ commitment to start/stop systems prompted a change in the technology provided by battery manufacturers, who moved away from SLI and over to AGM (absorbent glass mat) and then EFB (enhanced flooded battery), this change wasn’t reflected in the replacement market for several years. In 2016, just 2% of Ecobat Battery’s sales were AGM/EFB, whereas by 2022 it was nearly one quarter, with a comparable decline in SLI sales. https://lnkd.in/ePsTrvbi

NEWS... ALLDATA Europe confirms expert speaker lineup ahead of inaugural event for workshop owners and technicians. In partnership with Opus IVS, ALLDATA Europe will welcome workshop owners and technicians to Colchester-based Shaikly Motor Company. This exclusive event will explore repair solutions, share industry expertise and tackle the technical and business challenges shaping the automotive aftermarket. Industry leaders, workshop owners and technical experts are set to take to the stage at ALLDATA Europe’s Repair Excellence Event. Hosted at Shaikly Motor Company Ltd, in collaboration with Opus IVS on Saturday 8th March, this event promises invaluable insights and expertise from some of the industry’s most respected voices. https://lnkd.in/d8ZVKR7b

NEWS... The Independent Garage Association (IGA) asks independent garage owners to provide critical input ahead of a key meeting regarding the long-standing MOT fee freeze and the financial impact of the recent Budget. The IGA will discuss these pressing issues at a meeting on the 11 March with officials from the office of Lilian Greenwood MP. The association is keen to present concrete evidence on how these financial constraints are affecting businesses across the sector. THe trade association says that the government’s MOT fee freeze has placed mounting financial pressure on independent garages, exacerbated by increasing operational costs. Additionally, new financial measures introduced in the Autumn Budget pose further challenges to the sector. This meeting represents a crucial opportunity to ensure policymakers fully understand the impact these factors have on independent garages nationwide. https://lnkd.in/dX4Y_tCc

While it is hard to predict the future, at least chassis repairs will remain a major source of workshop income, leading Rob Marshall to query leading suppliers about how they make your life easier. It is quite difficult to appreciate the engineering that goes into bolt-on consumable parts. After all, many chassis components, be they related to the steering, or suspension systems, are designed to be renewed. Understandably, it is difficult for most of us to identify an OE-quality track rod end, or drop link, from an inferior one by a curiosity glance. Indeed, a poor-quality part might even fit with no problems but you are sacrificing your reputation and risk having to repeat the task under warranty, when the part wears out prematurely, due to design and/or materials that prioritise manufacturing costs over longevity. https://lnkd.in/e_MdpcHW

Working smarter with clutches... Some workshops view manual transmission clutch work as elementary and yet, many technicians do not take advantage of the support available to them. Rob Marshall, therefore, asks major clutch brands how they help you with this laborious job. As important as keeping abreast of new technologies is, try not to neglect bread-and-butter tasks. ZF Aftermarket told us that, while clutches are viewed as ‘sunset’ components by some workshops, its technical support team remains extremely busy, helping stuck technicians. While it is true that the clutch’s core function remains unchanged, the technology behind today’s components continues to evolve behind the scenes. Alliance Automotive reminds us that the basic principles of mechanical parts can be taken for granted, especially regarding clutch failure diagnosis. It joins ZF, by advocating clutch ‘refresher’ training courses as highly valuable and any wise technician should not dismiss such opportunities. Valeo is an even greater supporter of technician clutch training, not only because clutch repairs will continue to be in demand but also because the firm will be introducing Pendulum DMFs, E-Clutches and Torque Limiters into its range later this year. https://lnkd.in/e4xSdkEz

ARTICLE... Firstly, I’d like to introduce myself to those who don’t know me. My name is Neil Currie and I am a technician from Southwest Scotland. Some of my achievements include becoming an IMI-accredited Master Technician, a Level 4 EV Technician, and winning Top Technician in 2019. I’m excited to contribute articles to autotechnician and hope to meet some of you at an event in the future. This article highlights a possibility that now needs to be considered and added as a step in your diagnostic process when addressing a drivability fault or when things may not quite add up. What is it, I hear you ask? Well, I am not going to spill the beans just yet, so read on to find out what I am referring to… The vehicle in question for this article was a Land Rover Discovery Sport with the 2.0 Ingenium diesel engine. The vehicle had been booked in from another garage with the complaint of the engine management light randomly illuminating on the dashboard. When they plugged in their scan tool, it showed an EGR valve fault. This vehicle has a Euro 6 engine fitted with both low and high pressure EGR valves, and they were unsure what the fault referred to and wanted me to take a look. The garage explained that the fault would clear and the vehicle would then drive fine for days, sometimes weeks, before the light appeared again. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to it. They suspected a faulty EGR valve but were not confident, so they opted to book it in rather than replace parts based on a guess. https://lnkd.in/eQMxxSvQ

A new survey by Autotech Recruit has revealed that working hours are the most critical factor for UK vehicle technicians across all age groups. Autotech Recruit polled vehicle technicians aged 18 to 54 across the UK to uncover their professional priorities. Dealerships (32%) and independent garages (26%) were the primary employers, with 58% in full-time roles and 29% self-employed, while the remainder were either in part-time employment or currently unemployed. Nearly 79% of respondents rated working hours as ‘Very Important’, surpassing even salary, highlighting the growing emphasis on work-life balance within the automotive workforce. Flexibility, no weekend work, and holiday allowances also ranked in the top five of important factors when searching for a job, underlining the shifting expectations of vehicle technicians across all age groups. These findings come at a pivotal moment, as the Motor Ombudsman recently reported that almost a third (29%) of independent garages are considering adjusting their opening hours to support staff well-being. This shift validates the urgent need for industry-wide changes to improve work-life balance to attract and retain talent. The report also unveiled a concerning trend—70% of vehicle technicians admitted they are considering leaving their current employment. Reasons ranged from seeking external opportunities to starting their own independent businesses or leaving the industry altogether. www.autotechgroup.co.uk

NEWS... Cheltenham-based independent garage Cleevely Motors Ltd will host its first IMI-accredited training course on February 18-19, 2025. Held in partnership with Cotswold Diagnostics, it is designed to equip vehicle technicians with IMI Level 2 and Level 3 electric vehicle (EV) qualifications. Combining expert-led instruction with hands-on experience in one of the UK’s most renowned independent EV workshops, the two-day programme is priced at £550 per delegate and aims to address the growing demand for skilled EV technicians. “Our IMI accreditation allows us to support technicians at every stage of their professional journey,” said Matt Cleevely, Managing Director of Cleevely Group. “Hosting our first accredited course is an exciting milestone, and we’re proud to partner with Cotswold Diagnostics to deliver this vital training.” https://lnkd.in/eaUvu8g3