By Jenni Wirtz | 22 April, 2021
With lockdown easing and the roads slowly returning to a ‘new normal’, First Line Ltd is urging the aftermarket to get behind the DVSA’s new campaign calling for safe travel.
The aftermarket expert recognises that vehicles that are not used regularly can develop issues, some of which may relate to safety-critical components such as brakes, tyres, and lights. These are often not identified until the vehicle is in for its next MOT or Service.
With the MOT extension in 2020 bringing about a drop in tests over the coming months, First Line is supporting motor factors and garages to proactively promote vehicle safety checks to further drive business back into the independent aftermarket.
The company has pledged its full support to the campaign and is urging motor factors and repairers to download a selection of marketing materials, aimed to aid the communication of basic checks, taking vehicles for a health check, or to encourage a service or MOT before driving again more regularly.
Jon Roughley, global marketing director at First Line Ltd, said: “There is a real concern about the safety and roadworthiness of vehicles on our roads, especially following a period of inactivity and MOT extension.
“Now that things are slowly opening up again, we will start to see an increase of traffic as more and more people jump back into their cars. It’s important that the automotive aftermarket adopts the same resilience as it did in 2020, in effectively reminding customers about the importance of ensuring their vehicle is safe and roadworthy.”
New research from Direct Line has also highlighted that approximately 3.8 million motorists are driving without an MOT. This is not only a legal requirement, but an MOT is essential to ensure a vehicle is roadworthy and to maximise safety for the driver and other road users.
First Line Ltd’s full product range consists of more than 40,000 references across over 60 different product lines, providing comprehensive coverage of the entire vehicle part for passenger car (modern and classic), light commercial vehicle and commercial vehicle.