garage-equipment - garage-equipment

6 Million Illegal Tyres on our Roads – How Can Garage Owners Help?

Posted on May 28, 2024 - 12:39 pm by garage-equipment

Road safety is a critical concern for all drivers and one often overlooked aspect is tyre maintenance. With an estimated 6 million drivers in the UK driving on illegal tyres, the risks are consequential and crucial. As leading garage equipment specialists, we are dedicated to providing only the best tyre equipment to enhance road safety and ensure every vehicle is equipped with properly maintained tyres.

The Risks of Driving with Illegal Tyres

Illegal tyres are what fail to meet the minimum tread depth requirements (1.6mm), condition and pressure. A vehicle’s tyres can significantly affect a vehicle’s handling, braking and overall safety. A few key points that highlight the danger include:

Worn-out tyres lose the ability to grip on the road, especially in wet and rainy conditions which may lead to increased stopping distances and high chances of skidding.
Drivers with illegal tyres are more prone to accidents, putting not only themselves but other drivers at risk.
Whilst driving with illegal tyres is incredibly dangerous, but they can also result in fines and points on a driver’s license.

Garage Owners Role in Promoting Tyre Safety

As a garage owner, you play a pivotal role in promoting road safety. By investing in our top-of-the-range tyre equipment, you can ensure that every tyre you work on meets the highest of road safety standards. By using our equipment, you can offer wheel balancing, tyre changing, comprehensive checks (TPMS) and more for your customers. Offering high-quality tyre services not only enhances road safety but also allows you to build trust and loyalty with your customers.

By investing in our tyre equipment, not only are you providing an excellent service for your customers, but you are also contributing to a safer environment for everyone on the road. By working together, we can reduce the millions of illegal tyres on the roads and ensure every journey, is a safe one. Additionally, with just one tyre service per week, you can quickly recoup the cost of your equipment! Contact our team to discuss options, call 0208 498 1288 or email sales@v-techuk.com

V-Tech Appoints Brand Ambassador as it Goes for Growth

Posted on May 24, 2024 - 1:11 pm by garage-equipment

As one of the leading providers of diagnostic and garage equipment, V-Tech is delighted to announce the appointment of an ambassador to help drive the group’s growth strategy in 2024.

The role has been secured by Andy Savva, The Garage Inspector, one of the aftermarket’s most renowned trainers and automotive experts.

His association with V-Tech UK and its brands will mark the start of a period of consolidation for the group, as we bring together five business entities to create a full service and equipment offering to independent garage workshops, bodyshops and tyre shops throughout the UK.

Chris Coyle, chief operating officer said: “I’ve known Andy for over 20 years and watched him help hundreds of garages navigate the decisions involved in running a successful workshop business.

“He operates with the utmost integrity and is passionate about finding out what a garage business really needs. He’d never recommend a product or service that’s not the best fit for them.

“There’s a huge amount of synergy and trust between Andy and V-Tech. This is highlighted by the fact we’re the first garage equipment supplier he’s ever worked with in this way.

“He has a large network, and whilst that will undoubtedly benefit V-Tech, it works both ways.

“We focus on long-term relationships and ultimately helping customers to realise a return on investment, whatever garage equipment they buy from us.

“That’s why this isn’t just any ambassador deal. We’re making it customer centric. This means, in certain cases, we’ll pay for customers to attend one of The Garage Inspector courses to help expand their skill set and maximise the long-term use of their garage equipment.

“This genuine desire to make workshop businesses stronger, not only means better a return on investment, it facilitates a healthy business with solid growth potential. That’s good news for the workshop owner, us, and the aftermarket.”

Andy added: “It wasn’t a hard decision to work with V-Tech, but it wasn’t one I took lightly either.

“I’ve engaged with lots of garage equipment suppliers over the years and they often let my garage folk down on everything from delivery dates to poor customer service. That won’t happen here.

“And I’m certainly not representing V-Tech to sell their products. Good products sell themselves. I’m here because I know they excel at service – and that’s what really matters to the customer.”

Automotive Industry Charity, Ben Launches new Health Checks for Automotive People

Posted on April 26, 2024 - 5:59 am by garage-equipment

Ben, the automotive industry charity, has launched new health checks for automotive people, offering the chance for those who work in the industry to have a personal MOT for their physical and mental health.

They can be booked by any automotive employer wanting to invest in the health and well-being of their employees. In today’s fast-paced world and work environment, with multiple additional challenges, prioritising employee health and wellbeing has never been more important for any business. This is further supported by results from Ben’s Health & Wellbeing survey which indicate that 99% of respondents said they had experienced an issue with their health or wellbeing over the past 12 months.

The health checks offer the opportunity for automotive employees to have one-on-one conversations about their physical and mental health with a qualified health professional. The health checks also identify potential issues and suggest making positive changes so people can live and work well.

Ben is offering two types of health checks; one focusing solely on physical health (20 minutes) and another that is a full MOT, checking both physical and mental health (30 minutes). In the physical health check, four tests are carried out including resting heart rate, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage. The health professional will then discuss results with each employee and compare them with national health guidelines to provide a clear understanding of their current physical health. In the physical and mental health check, employees will undertake the same physical health tests as well as a mental health check-in to see how they are feeling in terms of levels of stress, mood and worry and coping day-to-day.

Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “It’s never been more important for employers to prioritise employee health and wellbeing, especially at the moment when there are multiple work and life pressures on our automotive family. Employee absences can be linked to lifestyle-related illnesses, with factors such as alcohol, obesity, and smoking known to be at the root of many health conditions.

“With 1 in 3 automotive people reporting to be struggling with their mental health or wellbeing, providing a health check is a proactive step, empowering people to take control of their health and wellbeing so they can lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. By booking Ben Health Checks for your employees, you’re not only investing in your people and your business, you’ll also be supporting your industry charity.”

V-Tech would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone within the automotive industry to go ahead and book their health check with Ben, simply visit www.ben.org.uk/healthchecks to find out more. All health checks are delivered on site to allow for minimal disruption to the working day and they are private, confidential, and carried out on a one-to-one basis with a qualified health professional.

Choosing the Right Vehicle Lift for Your Workshop

Posted on February 14, 2024 - 10:56 am by garage-equipment

When equipping your workshop with the right tools, selecting the perfect vehicle lift is an important decision as it significantly impacts workshop functionality and efficiency. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between the main four vehicle lifts – 2 Post, 4 Post, Scissor Lifts and Commercial Column Lifts to help you make an informed choice based on your workshop’s specific needs. Whether you have space restrictions, are a commercial fleet owner or are even on a budget, we are sure we can guide you in the right direction for your forever workshop lift.

2 Post Lifts – Efficient and Accessible

2 Post Lifts are becoming increasingly popular due to their simplicity and efficiency. This highly sought-after model consists of two upright posts, with each arm lifting the vehicle. 2 Post Lifts are perfect for workshop owners who struggle with limited space. This type of lift also allows easy access with mechanics able to reach vehicle components with ease for regular maintenance and repairs. V-Tech’s 2 Post Lifts stand out as the best on the market due to their exceptional quality, advanced features, and superior performance. Built with precision engineering and durable materials, our 2 Post Lifts are designed to withstand heavy use and provide long-lasting reliability. Browse our range here.

4 Post Lifts – Stability for Larger Vehicles

4 Post Lifts are a great asset for any workshop that usually deals with larger vehicles such as vans and LCV’s. While they require larger floor space due to their 4 arms, they make a suitable lift for workshop owners who require additional storage capacity, as the lift can be used not only to help with easier access to vehicles but to lift vehicles for storage and space needs too. 4 Post Lifts can come in plenty of different lifting capabilities and are thus used for different purposes such as wheel alignment and vehicle maintenance. Our range is huge! By taking a look here, you can view the right lift to suit your requirements and specifications.

Scissor Lifts – Compact Versatility

Scissor Lifts are a staple for many workshops due to their compact design. Whilst they are smaller than most lifts, Scissor Lifts have amazing robustness and durability. They utilise a system of crossed, linked supports resembling a scissors mechanism thus the name. As they are small in size and also hold great power and flexibility, this lift is perfect for anyone seeking an essential lift for various vehicle types. It’s intelligent scissor design allows for the lift to also be collapsed right down, which makes these lifts space efficient. V-Tech holds a wide range available that can be used to lift any vehicle. Take a look here.

Column Lifts – A Commercial Essential

Commercial Column Lifts are heavy-duty lifts designed for the lifting of commercial vehicles such as Buses, Coaches, Lorries, and more. These vertical lifts can come in sets of 4, 6 or 8 depending on your exact needs. At V-Tech our single-column lifts can accept up to 7.5 tonne per column lift therefore you can be guaranteed extreme strength and robustness with our range. Available in cabled or wireless configurations, you can choose to make your column lifts fully mobile allowing you to manoeuvre them around your workshop, inside or out.

Have you managed to decide which lift will suit your workshop needs and requirements? If your still worried about choosing the wrong one, our team are always more than happy to help advise you over the phone too. Call 0208 498 1288 to speak to a member of our team.

DVSA MOT COMPLIANCE CHANGES 2020

Posted on February 13, 2024 - 11:08 am by garage-equipment

The DVSA have recently sent out a communication to MOT sites to inform them of MOT testing equipment approvals, and how their brake testing equipment must be compliant with the DVSA. This will mean that for many MOT workshops, their brake testing units will need to be upgraded with the latest MTS software which allows for all of their MOT testing data to be easily transferred directly to the DVSA straight after a test is completed.

MOT stations required to take action include:

Those who are replacing their Brake Tester
Stations that are changing the AE (Authorised Examiner)
Those who are changing the test station details for example: their company name

Once you have realised the need for an upgrade, and have initially consulted our team, you will need to:

Contact DVSA to obtain the key/certification code for the required software
Speak to our V-Tech team to let us know that you have the code
Our V-Tech Engineers will then come to site and perform the upgrade, installing a new PC and the correct software
Your MOT testing data will then automatically be transferred to the DVSA every time a test is completed

Click here to find out how to request your key/certification code.

If your Roller Brake Tester is old, why not upgrade to a current one? View our wide range of professional, high quality Roller Brake Testers online or contact our team to enquire.

0800 195 1245

info@v-techuk.com

THE 5 STEPS WE TAKE TO SUPPORT YOUR WORKSHOP

Posted on February 13, 2024 - 11:02 am by garage-equipment

Our professional and fully qualified V-Tech Engineers will come to your workshop to learn more about your premises and your services. This will allow us to develop a better understanding of what type of garage equipment your workshop needs along with space restrictions and site dimensions, whilst also allowing us to create an accurate CAD drawing.

We will discuss with you what we believe would be the most suitable type of equipment for your garage to make sure our products meet not only your needs but your workshop space, and budget too. Many of our products come in many different specs but our team of experts will find the right configuration to suit your garage.

Once you have decided which equipment you would like to purchase, we will then discuss our flexible finance options with you to see if you would prefer to pay in full or in affordable monthly instalments to suit your cash flow. We have preferential finance rates to get you the best and most suitable finance agreements.

We will arrange delivery and if needed, installation of your equipment. Our expert engineers have been fully trained and are qualified to install any type of garage equipment including MOT Bays, Brake Testers, Tyre Equipment and much more. Our team of nationwide engineers cover all corners of the UK.

After your purchase, we will continue to help and support your equipment with a Service Contract. Our team will cover emergency breakdowns, service your equipment regularly, and carry out equipment calibrations, to ensure you do not face any long downtime.
Interested in purchasing garage equipment from a company that you can rely on and who care about you and your workshop? Contact our team to arrange a site visit.

NEW SUPER DEDUCTION SCHEME

Posted on February 13, 2024 - 10:57 am by garage-equipment

Benefits of the new Government Supertax Deduction scheme

The covid-19 pandemic has left many workshops struggling to invest in the new machinery that they require. However, in this year’s budget, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced an amazing new scheme to enable workshops to benefit from new equipment purchases and offset their tax liabilities.

SUPER DEDUCTION SCHEME EXPLAINED

In the past businesses have been able to claim capital allowances when they purchase new equipment. The value of such equipment gets deducted from your profits meaning you will save money on your tax bill.

However, this new Super deduction scheme is now even more attractive, allowing you to offset 130% of the asset value against the taxable profit in that first year. That’s around a saving of 25p for every £1 you spend.

From the 1st April 2021 right up till 31st March 2023 you’ll be able to claim this higher tax relief.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM SUPER DEDUCTION?

It will cover many different businesses, industries and sectors. The great news is that it covers the automotive workshop industry but there are a few rules:
• It only applies to UK businesses that are subject to corporation tax. Sole traders and partnerships are therefore not included.
• Businesses that intend to keep the newly bought equipment
• Purchases must be bought in cash, HP or through a loan from 01/04/2021 to 31/03/2023

This covers the basics but should you need further info, contact our team or your business accountant.

WHAT EQUIPMENT CAN I PURCHASE?

According to HMRC this scheme applies to plant and machinery. The great news is that it covers a huge range of our products from Post Lifts to other essential equipment that a progressive workshop needs.

Just to also note that the following equipment will not fall under the new scheme:
• Second-hand or used equipment
• Cars
• Integral features and long term assets like lighting systems etc

Hire purchase agreements do qualify however they must fall within the two-year period.

REAL EQUIPMENT EXAMPLES

The exciting news is that you can save thousands off brand new, top of the range equipment with V-tech. Here are just a few examples.

The official calculation is:
Your effective saving = Cost of equipment x 1.3 x 0.19
Every £1 you spend you will save around 25p, it’s that simple!

So it’s clear to see that now is an amazing time to develop your business and invest in better equipment for a fraction of the normal price.
Contact our experts for an on-site quote or for further information. We can also assist you with finance should you need this option.

You can check all the official documentation too here:
https://www.gov.uk/capital-allowances/what-you-can-claim-on
If you are unsure about the tax implications, we suggest you contact your tax advisor or business accountant.

DVSA ARE NOW ACCEPTING NEW APPLICATIONS TO SET UP ATF’S

Posted on February 13, 2024 - 10:55 am by garage-equipment

Previously the DVSA had put a temporary suspension on accepting new ATF applications, to focus their efforts on supporting existing ATF’s.
However, as part of the Heavy Vehicle Testing Review, The Department for Transport has recommended that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) should consider allowing more ATF’s to open.
This suggestion has now been accepted and the DVSA have announced that they are officially accepting new ATF applications on if a proposed ATF:

⦁ Is a move of premises for an existing ATF, but it is within the same geographic area
⦁ Already has ‘approval in principle’ from DVSA
⦁ Is in an area with a substantial shortage of ATFs, currently Orkney and mainland Highlands of Scotland
⦁ Is in Southern England and is offering testing of fully laden fuel tankers (this is often known as a full pet. reg. site) or ADR testing
⦁ Will significantly improve the service to heavy vehicle operators, by reduced journey times or other efficiency benefits. Applications made under this criteria will be prioritised based on the certainty and scale of improvement in service the proposed ATF can offer

Are you looking to become an approved ATF? Speak to one of our Commercial Workshop ATF Specialists to find out more about the high-quality ATF Lanes we have to offer:

V-TECH EXHIBIT AT THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW 2021

Posted on February 13, 2024 - 10:50 am by garage-equipment

V-TECH SPONSOR 'RACE FOR LIFE' RUNNERS

V-Tech took centre stage at the Commercial Vehicle Show (CV Show) at NEC, Birmingham in August 2021. The ever popular and incredibly well-known exhibition was the perfect chance for V-Tech so announce our new partnership with Sicam, tyre equipment specialists and to showcase our wide range of high-quality garage equipment.

We are incredibly pleased to be back in the swing of exhibitions since the pandemic and are incredibly grateful for the number of suppliers, customers, and friends we were able to catch up with face to face at the show.

At the show we showcased a wide range of our commercial garage equipment including our BM20200 Commercial Mobile Brake Tester, Commercial Mobile Column Lifts, Emissions Analysers, Sicam Tyre Equipment and much more. All of which gained a huge amount of interest from the visitors.

If you were unable to attend the show, you can view all our garage equipment online at www.garage-equipment.co.uk.

Or if you would like to speak to our team, please feel free to contact us direct.

Call: 0208 498 1288

Email: sales@v-techuk.com

5 THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE BUYING A 2 POST LIFT

Posted on February 13, 2024 - 10:43 am by garage-equipment

5 THINGS TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE BUYING A 2 POST LIFT

1. SPACE

“Remember that garage equipment, like a 2 Post Lift requires designated space within your workshop. To ensure that it fits perfectly within your workshop plan, it’s best to first measure the space you have to work with to ensure that the 2 post lift you’ve sourced will fit. The last thing you want to do is purchase the equipment, only to find out later that it doesn’t fit within the space you’ve allocated for it.

If you speak to our team one of our Sales Representatives will be more than happy to come to your site to help you measure up and give you the best advice on which lift would suit your workshop space and needs.”

2. CAPACITY

Before buying a lift it’s important to understand your exact needs. This will help you to analyse which type of capacity you need your lift to hold. Whether that be 2.5 tonne, 4 tonne, 5 tonne or 6 tonne.

If you’re not sure of which type of capacity would suit your needs best, you can get a rough idea by our break down below.

Up to 2.5 tonne – Passenger vehicles only

Up to 4 tonne – Passenger vehicles and light commercial vans

Up to 5 tonne – Passenger vehicles and commercial vans

Up to 6 tonne – Passenger vehicles, light commercial vans and bigger commercial vehicles

3. QUALITY

A lot of the time, Workshop Owners tend to compromise on quality to get the best priced lifts. However, this should not be the case. There are lifts out there which are not only affordable, but which are of fantastic quality too. You can have it all when you shop at the right place. At V-Tech we take great pride in providing UK Workshops with some of the best value for money garage equipment. All our automotive equipment, including our 2 post lifts are manufactured in various countries within Europe, using only the best quality materials. We ensure that our lifts are a long-lasting part of your workshop.

4. PARTS

A lot of Workshop Owners tend to buy lifts from suppliers which are most competitive in price. We understand that price matters, however supplier support and convenience also matters too. In the likelihood that months or years down the line you may need to get hold of spare parts or consumables for the lift, it’s important to be able to rely on your original supplier for this. Unfortunately, not all suppliers are able to offer this. Therefore, this is something to bear in mind when purchasing a 2 post lift. If you have a lift which requires specific parts which can’t be found or bought anywhere else this could cause obvious issues for you and your workshop. Fortunately for our customers, we can supply a wide range of spare parts and consumables to make sure that our lifts are never out of action for too long.