Mike Ruff, Author at Garage Matters

Beyond the ZEV mandate noise: What June’s record car registrations really mean for independents

Mike Ruff6 July, 20266 July, 2026

by Mike Ruff6 July, 20266 July, 20260

If you only read the mainstream press today, you would be forgiven for thinking the UK automotive aftermarket is facing an impending crisis. Following the...

Falken secures OE fitment on all-new Porsche Cayenne Electric: What ‘NG0’ marking means for your workshop

Mike Ruff6 July, 20266 July, 2026

by Mike Ruff6 July, 20266 July, 20260

When an Original Equipment (OE) tyre agreement lands on our news desk, it is easy to dismiss it as corporate back-slapping between tyre manufacturers and...

Hella Gutmann expands macsRemote team amid rising demand for remote diagnostics

Mike Ruff3 July, 20263 July, 2026

by Mike Ruff3 July, 20263 July, 20260

Hella Gutmann has further strengthened its macsRemote operations with the appointment of Leah Cudone as Remote Diagnostics Technician, significantly increasing the service capacity of its...

Licence to trade? IMI urges next PM to mandate technician qualifications and protect apprenticeships

Mike Ruff2 July, 20266 July, 2026

by Mike Ruff2 July, 20266 July, 20260

With political leadership shifting and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham heavily tipped for a move to Westminster, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is...

ALLDATA kicks off 2026 Repair Excellence Roadshow at Oldfields Garage

Mike Ruff30 June, 202630 June, 2026

by Mike Ruff30 June, 202630 June, 20260

Following a highly successful run in 2025 across Shaikly Motors and DC Lomas, ALLDATA is officially getting its 2026 Repair Excellence Event roadshow underway. The...

EXCLUSIVE: IAAF Chief explains strategy behind ‘mandatory minimum’ MOT fee

Mike Ruff29 June, 202629 June, 2026

by Mike Ruff29 June, 202629 June, 20264

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation’s (IAAF) proposal to turn the current maximum MOT fee cap into a legally mandated floor has triggered widespread debate across...

Stagnant MOT fee threatening national testing capacity, warns IGA

Mike Ruff29 June, 202629 June, 2026

by Mike Ruff29 June, 202629 June, 20260

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has intensified pressure on government to review the statutory MOT fee cap for class 4, 5, and 7 vehicles, which...

Rising booking fees see Wallsend garage end eight-year relationship with booking platforms

Mike Ruff29 June, 202629 June, 2026

by Mike Ruff29 June, 202629 June, 20260

Independent garage owners across the UK are increasingly reassessing the long-term cost of third-party booking platforms, as concerns grow over rising commission charges and the...

Heatwave sees spike in vehicle breakdowns, RAC data shows

Mike Ruff29 June, 202629 June, 2026

by Mike Ruff29 June, 202629 June, 20260

A dramatic spike in summer breakdowns has exposed widespread deferred vehicle maintenance across the UK, presenting an immediate influx of diagnostic and repair work for...

Valeo urges workshops to stop “binning” loyalty points and unlock hidden value

Mike Ruff23 June, 202623 June, 2026

by Mike Ruff23 June, 202623 June, 20260

Valeo Service UK is challenging independent garages to rethink everyday workshop habits, urging technicians and workshop managers to audit what happens to packaging waste in...

Beyond the ZEV mandate noise: What June’s record car registrations really mean for independents

Falken secures OE fitment on all-new Porsche Cayenne Electric: What ‘NG0’ marking means for your workshop

Hella Gutmann expands macsRemote team amid rising demand for remote diagnostics

Licence to trade? IMI urges next PM to mandate technician qualifications and protect apprenticeships

ALLDATA kicks off 2026 Repair Excellence Roadshow at Oldfields Garage

EXCLUSIVE: IAAF Chief explains strategy behind ‘mandatory minimum’ MOT fee

Stagnant MOT fee threatening national testing capacity, warns IGA

Rising booking fees see Wallsend garage end eight-year relationship with booking platforms

Heatwave sees spike in vehicle breakdowns, RAC data shows

Valeo urges workshops to stop “binning” loyalty points and unlock hidden value

Hella Gutmann encourages garages to attend 2026 Top Awards finals

The Blend 2026 sells out as demand sees tickets snapped up ahead...

ClickMechanic calls on independent repairers to fight back against unfair perceptions

Top Technician contenders prepare for five tests against the clock

IGA confronts DfT over frozen MOT fee cap

Hella Gutmann encourages garages to attend 2026 Top Awards finals

The Blend 2026 sells out as demand sees tickets snapped up ahead of Birmingham conference

ClickMechanic calls on independent repairers to fight back against unfair perceptions

Top Technician contenders prepare for five tests against the clock

IGA confronts DfT over frozen MOT fee cap