Guiding you back into business

Steve Nash

Some businesses, particularly MOT and servicing companies, have continued to operate throughout the crisis, helping keep people, including key workers, mobile during these challenging times. They have been amazing. It helps that they’re accustomed to stringent health and safety requirements.

But as the industry wheels slowly begin to turn again and even more people begin to return to work and fire up their businesses, we need to consider how we can scale up the industry in a safe manner.

Employers and employees need reassurance that the best possible hygiene and distancing practices are in place and that their wellbeing is front of mind. There’s a lot of understandable anxiety about. To help businesses meet the demands of ‘the new normal’ we’ve worked with the SMMT, SMTA, IAAF and GEA to draw up a guide to help make the working environment for those in the automotive aftermarket as safe as possible.

COVID-19: Industry Guidance And Best Practice For Automotive Aftermarket

This offers a range of information and support for those looking to restart their business. It aims to complement official guidance, and covers topics including:

  • Communication and education of customers and colleagues
  • Social distancing
  • Sanitisation and hygiene
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Use of digital and other virtual and additional mechanisms

It’s important to understand that this work will evolve over time, adapting to changes as they become apparent, reflecting feedback from both you and your customers. So please let us know your thoughts.

This is a real case of the industry working together and will give our collective members the support they need at this challenging time.

Ending the MOT extension

I would like to add one final point. In the spirit of unity and common sense, the IMI fully endorses the SMMT’s call to Government to scrap the six-month extension to MOTs announced at the end of March. While the motives for the initiative were sound at that time, there are serious risks in the extension remaining in place.

If vehicles come back onto the roads in volume, it’s vital they are roadworthy; not only this, if motorists wait six months from when their MOT expired to get their vehicle tested it’ll create a huge backlog in the autumn and winter that could overwhelm the sector. And that’s without considering the likelihood of the market shrinking because many businesses are unlikely to be able to survive without work coming in in the meantime.

Communication is key, so if you have any questions that you need answering or want to discuss how the IMI can help you, or provide feedback to the guide, please contact us on +44 (0)1992 519025, or send emails to hello@theimi.org.uk.
 
Look after yourselves and your families.
 
With my very best wishes,
 
Steve