Garage Support 15

The MOT Opportunity

Can Your Garage Offer Class 7 Testing?

There’s a BIG opportunity for you to tap into according to the latest advice from the SMMT. With the hangover from the MOT extension earlier this year and the demand remaining high into December, the DVSA is warning that some van operators are finding it difficult to book Class 7 test slots in some parts of the country. Ok, but what does that mean for me? Vans are in peak demand right now. Not only have most of us already switched to online shopping thanks to lockdown, we’re in the run up to the busiest shopping period of the year, so there are plenty more deliveries being made right now. Struggling to get an MOT could spell disaster for Class 7 vehicle owners, who just can’t afford to have their vans out of action during this time. That’s where you can step in and save the day...

WHAT CAN I DO? There are a few quick things you could do to not only help the nationwide demand, but also take advantage of the opportunity the backlog presents your business.

1. Prioritise Class 7 jobs wherever you can Don’t send the opportunity elsewhere – if your customer has an urgent need, they are much more likely to come back to you in the future. Most van drivers have a car too, you could be securing future business by getting to them quickly now. 2. Flex your opening hours December’s a traditionally quiet month, with business ebbing and flowing throughout the lockdowns and national restrictions, this could be a great opportunity to bring business in between now and the new year. The demand will have decreased after December, so it makes sense to take advantage of it while you can. 3. Bring temporary resource in Got the space, but limited on the manpower? You can tap into temporary tech support with AutoTech Recruit and it doesn’t cost as much as you might think. Take a look at our OmniHub where you can find out more. WHAT THE DVSA IS SAYING… “We want to ensure everyone that needs an MOT can book one. So, we’re asking that those of you who run Class 7 test stations consider this when you are taking bookings and give some priority to business users trying to book a Class 7 test. We appreciate that demand for test slots is high. But prioritising just a few Class 7 tests a day will really help.” An opportunity not to be missed

Can you help keep Class 7 vehicles on the road this Christmas? Get booking them in now and make the most of the opportunity. We’ve got the parts for the repairs and are ready to support you when you need it.

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