Industry at “crossroads over quality” as garages respond to study
“Recent study highlights wider skills and standards issue” says Horwich Motor Engineers
The recent independent study on defect brake calipers has ignited a wider debate in the automotive industry on parts quality, skills and sector regulation, says Brake Engineering.
The braking specialist recently published the results of an independent report that found significant safety defects in three brands of new calipers entering the automotive aftermarket.
In total, 29 structural and mechanical defects affecting the performance of calipers were detected, which all failed to meet standards and critical tolerances set by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), with all three brands found to have used lower-grade material.
Garages and motor factors have been quick to join the debate with Howard Horwich from Horwich Motor Engineers saying that the study highlights wider issues in the trade.
He said: “Having spent 50 years in the motor trade, I am concerned by the direction of the overall market. I have invested at every opportunity in my business and my own personal development over the years, having also trained mechanics on a supplier’s behalf. But, there is still nothing to stop anybody from opening up a workshop with no skillset or experience. This results in unskilled technicians using poor quality parts and practices, meaning more dangerous cars on UK roads.
“I am not surprised by the findings of the Brake Engineering report. Unless we do something to raise standards and prices across the garage market, we will continue to have a disparity, which will bring the good businesses and technicians down. With little development of the MOT and apprentice route, perhaps now is the time to look more seriously at sector regulation.”
Mark Hallam, Brake Engineering marketing manager, said: “It’s important that garages are entering the debate and we have seen considerable engagement on the issue of parts quality across multiple platforms. We will continue to champion the use of high-quality parts, where performance specifications are met and the production process is fully traceable, which contribute to raising industry standards.”