WORKSHOPS are being urged to maximise market share as the six-month boon resulting from the MOT extension fades.
While no more vehicles were officially eligible for the extension from 1st February, there is likely to be some spill over for some weeks, according to Gavin Ruddick of SecretService, powered by BookMyGarage.com.
The uplift could be also sustained as vehicles come out of “hibernation”, as traffic levels are still 45% below pre lockdown levels*.
Workshops are being encouraged to capitalise on the need for service work resulting from fewer, and shorter, journeys, with over 50% of MOT bookings in January also requesting maintenance work.
Ruddick said: “While vehicles that are in need of service work as they emerge from ‘hibernation’ and the MOT extension overflow will support revenues through to March, they will need to secure market share to ensure performance is strong into the second quarter of 2021.
“With a roadmap out of the current lockdown in place, spring and summer staycation car journeys could also represent an opportunity to increase workshop revenues in quarter two and beyond.”
The DVSA issued a six-month MOT extension to all vehicles due a test between 30th March and 31st July last year as part of measures designed to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 during the first lockdown.
With the sector hopeful that the lockdown may ease in quarter two, servicing inspections that are now showing overdue from last year may also present an opportunity, especially for those who are considering spring and summer staycations.
Ruddick added: “So far this year, we have seen a continued surge in MOT work, which in turn attracts service bookings and other items such as free vehicle health checks, boosting final invoice values. However, this might only last while any remaining owners scramble to get their cars an MOT as the extension expires.
“This is why it is so important to secure additional market share in segments 2 & 3 (vehicles aged 4 to 9) which will underpin performance for H1. Action needs to be taken in February to access these motorists as consumers are telling us that traditional franchise programmes are often-one-dimensional.”
Leave A Comment