Garage Matters: Independent Garage News and Events

Schaeffler ends ‘replace-only’ era for Stellantis EMR3 e-axles

Mike Ruff4 March, 20264 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff4 March, 20264 March, 20260

Schaeffler Vehicle Lifetime Solutions (VLS) has just announced a game-changing suite of repair kits that finally allows independent workshops to repair, rather than entirely replace,

Brand news Parts

HELLA expands thermal management range with 1,500 new parts

Mike Ruff4 March, 20264 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff4 March, 20264 March, 20260

HELLA is rapidly accelerating its thermal management rollout, adding 1,500 new items to its aftermarket portfolio. This significant expansion brings the company’s total thermal offering

Must read News

Spring statement leaves independent garages out in cold, IGA warns

Mike Ruff3 March, 20264 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff3 March, 20264 March, 20260

The Chancellor has delivered the Spring Statement, but for the UK’s independent garage industry, it was largely a case of “move along, nothing to see

Features Garage management

Three legal steps to evict abandoned vehicles from your workshop

Mike Ruff2 March, 20262 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff2 March, 20262 March, 20260

Workshop floor space is a premium asset. Yet, an operational headache that many business owners will inevitably face at some point is the abandoned vehicle.

Brand news

SERMI to bring strict security checks and ‘digital passport’ to UK workshops from April

Mike Ruff2 March, 20263 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff2 March, 20263 March, 20260

With the 1st April SERMI launch date just around the corner, the UK automotive aftermarket is about to experience a major shift in how security-related

Event news

Top Awards 2026 celebrates women’s excellence ahead of International Women’s Day

Mike Ruff2 March, 20262 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff2 March, 20262 March, 20260

This International Women’s Day (8 March), the Top Awards is calling on women in the trade to step into the spotlight and be recognised for

Brand news Event news

Schaeffler wins CAT Supplier of the Year Award

Mike Ruff27 February, 20263 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff27 February, 20263 March, 20260

Schaeffler Vehicle Lifetime Solutions UK Limited has won the CAT Supplier of the Year award. The CAT Awards remain one of the aftermarket’s most prestigious

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Skoda invests €205 in new battery systems assembly hall

Mike Ruff27 February, 20262 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff27 February, 20262 March, 20260

Skoda Auto has officially cemented its position as the heavyweight of Volkswagen Group’s electric future, pouring €205 million into a massive expansion of its battery

Brand news Event news

Garage Services Online wins CAT Innovation Award for RampUp booking widget

Mike Ruff27 February, 202627 February, 2026

by Mike Ruff27 February, 202627 February, 20260

Garage Services Online has won the highly coveted Innovation Award at the 2026 Car Aftermarket Trader (CAT) Awards for its standalone booking system, RampUp. The

Brand news Parts

Valeo brings true OE hybrid wiper technology to the aftermarket

Mike Ruff25 February, 20262 March, 2026

by Mike Ruff25 February, 20262 March, 20260

Valeo Service UK is helping the aftermarket capitalise on the fast-growing hybrid wiper segment by offering a direct, exact-match replacement that meets original equipment (OE)