If you’re looking for head into a garage over the Christmas period, then you might find yourself encountering a little bit of difficulty. Mechanics across the country have a considerable backlog of MOTs to work though following the first and second lockdowns, and capacity might be a little on the scarce side.
The chief executive of the Independent Garage Association, Stuart James, told The Car Expert that “We fully support the government’s decision to allow garages to remain open as normal, and not to enforce another MOT extension […] Garages are still busy catching up with the backlog of MOTs that the extension caused earlier this year. A second extension would only cause confusion among consumers and put law-abiding vehicle owners at risk of significant fines by leaving cars unchecked.”
A recent survey of UK motorists by BookMyGarage found that 32% of 10,000 drivers had put off getting their car serviced as a result of the pandemic, with many of these citing a lack of funds, and fewer miles being put on the clock, thanks to home-working practices.
While garages are to remain open during this period (being as they play an important role in ensuring safety on the road), visitors can expect a range of hygiene measures in place, including screens, social distancing and hand-sanitizer stations.
Car washes, which had been deemed non-essential during lockdown 2.0, are now once again allowed to open. This came as no consolation to the owner of a car wash and tyre business in Londonderry forced to close his car wash in order to meet guidelines. “No motorist coming here to get their vehicle washed gets out of their car and we operate a contactless payment facility so there is no actual contact between us and the motorist so there is no breach of social distancing guidelines,” complained Connor Thornton. It’s difficult not to sympathise, since it’s difficult to imagine a more socially-distanced business model than one that requires customers to remain inside their cars.
If you’re looking for services, body repairs and tyre-fittings, you might find yourself having to contend with higher demand. You might get around this by resorting to online resources. If you’re able to fit tyres yourself, then you can buy tyres online and save the trip to the garage. If you’re part of a vulnerable demographic, and you’re shielding as a result, then this might be a worthwhile option.
Regular tyre changes help to ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy, especially during winter, when traction become that much more important. The same applies to a range of other essential motoring consumables, like anti-freeze. By making sure that you’re stocked up, you’ll save yourself the cost and danger of having to get to the garage.
