Mike Ruff, Author at Garage Matters

Garage Hive helps independents prepare for SERMI with new compliance tools

Mike Ruff30 March, 202630 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff30 March, 202630 March, 20260

Garage Hive has introduced a new system update designed to help independent workshops manage the compliance demands of the UK’s Security-related Vehicle Repair and Maintenance...

Manual car options plummet 66% as carmakers pivot to automatic-only lineups

Mike Ruff30 March, 202630 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff30 March, 202630 March, 20260

The number of new cars available with a manual gearbox has plummeted by 66% over the past decade, leaving independent workshops facing an inevitable long-term...

Garage Services Online highlights lead-generation strategies at Servicesure Conference

Mike Ruff30 March, 202630 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff30 March, 202630 March, 20260

Garage Services Online (GSO) connected with independent garage owners from across the UK at the Servicesure Conference 2026 on Thursday 26 March, showcasing how workshops...

Valeo upgrades support for workshops, distributors and drivers

Mike Ruff30 March, 202630 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff30 March, 202630 March, 20260

Valeo Service has taken aftermarket support to the next level with the launch of its new omnichannel Help Centre, designed to help distributors and workshops...

EXCLUSIVE: Carly backtracks on £110 “rip-off repair” myth

Mike Ruff25 March, 202625 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff25 March, 202625 March, 20260

When consumer diagnostics firm Carly released a nationwide mystery shop claiming drivers were being charged up to five times the “expected standard” of £110 for...

Mainstream media’s lazy attack on garages: Why latest “rip-off” report is flawed

Mike Ruff25 March, 202625 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff25 March, 202625 March, 20262

UPDATE (25/03/2026 at 8:37pm): Following the publication of this article, Garage Matters put our questions directly to Carly to challenge their £110 pricing methodology and...

Technical first look: All-new 800V BMW i3

Mike Ruff23 March, 202623 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff23 March, 202623 March, 20260

The traditional fuse box is dead, the battery is now the chassis floor, and friction brakes are officially a backup system. Here is what the...

Mercedes-Benz is latest to join SERMI with 22 brands now committed

Mike Ruff23 March, 202623 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff23 March, 202623 March, 20260

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has confirmed that Mercedes-Benz has officially committed to the SERMI scheme, bringing the total number of participating vehicle manufacturers in...

Schaeffler launches vlog series ahead of May’s REPXPERT Conference

Mike Ruff20 March, 202623 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff20 March, 202623 March, 20260

With less than two months to go until the highly anticipated REPXPERT Conference on 14th May, Schaeffler has officially launched a new Vlog series to...

Michelin unveils new ‘Energy’ tyre ranges to tackle EV efficiency challenge

Mike Ruff20 March, 202623 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff20 March, 202623 March, 20260

Michelin has officially launched the MICHELIN Primacy 5 energy and MICHELIN Pilot Sport 5 energy, two new summer tyre ranges specifically engineered to meet the...

Garage Hive helps independents prepare for SERMI with new compliance tools

Manual car options plummet 66% as carmakers pivot to automatic-only lineups

Garage Services Online highlights lead-generation strategies at Servicesure Conference

Valeo upgrades support for workshops, distributors and drivers

EXCLUSIVE: Carly backtracks on £110 “rip-off repair” myth

Mainstream media’s lazy attack on garages: Why latest “rip-off” report is flawed

Technical first look: All-new 800V BMW i3

Mercedes-Benz is latest to join SERMI with 22 brands now committed

Schaeffler launches vlog series ahead of May’s REPXPERT Conference

Michelin unveils new ‘Energy’ tyre ranges to tackle EV efficiency challenge

New Valeo eAxle signals the future of affordable hybrid 4WD

The Blend Podcast puts neurodiversity under the spotlight ahead of conference session

Non-testing garages and mobile technicians urged to capitalise on upcoming MOT surge

No distinction between poor maintenance and tampering in proposed DfT rules

IGA demands £95 MOT fee as 16-year freeze pushes testing bays to...

New Valeo eAxle signals the future of affordable hybrid 4WD

The Blend Podcast puts neurodiversity under the spotlight ahead of conference session

Non-testing garages and mobile technicians urged to capitalise on upcoming MOT surge

No distinction between poor maintenance and tampering in proposed DfT rules

IGA demands £95 MOT fee as 16-year freeze pushes testing bays to brink