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Dear Member,

Business rates will be changing on April 1st 2017 for the first time in 7 years. Rates are calculated on your property’s rateable value, which may have changed significantly since the last valuation, so please read the information in the bulletin below to find out how to check your new rating and make an appeal if necessary. Please let us know if you have any concerns about the new rates system or your valuation.

Today we launch a new benefit for Trust My Garage members - the TMG £1,000 Guarantee. This financial reassurance scheme gives peace of mind to consumers that if they have an unresolved problem with a member and are judged to be in the right after completing the ADR process, the IGA will underwrite the payment of any financial award up to £1,000. See below for further details.

In terms of lobbying, we recently met the DfT to discuss type approval legislation and to ensure that OBD sockets are still open for diagnostics for a period of time until the security standard falls in place. We are also continuing to campaign against the MOT 4-1-1 consultation on the grounds of road safety. Consumers also appear to be against the extension according to our survey which is great news. We urge you to respond to the consultation and have your say. Together we can stop the government from progressing with this dangerous, expensive and unnecessary consultation.

The new apprenticeship standard for Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician is now being piloted. We have been representing employers’ interests on Trailblazer and believe that apprenticeships are now heading in the right direction. We encourage you to consider the existing skills shortage to our industry and take on an apprentice.

If you have passed your annual training assessment, you must remember to record your result on the online MOT testing service. It’s a simple process, see the bulletin below for guidance.

Lastly we have some good news to share, particularly for members in the North; we will be opening a second RMI Academy of Automotive Skills in Runcorn to replicate the training centre in Southam, Warwickshire. Look out for more information soon.

If you need any help or advice we’re a phone call away, so please get in touch with us on 0845 305 4230 with your concerns, questions or comments.

Best regards,

Stuart James
IGA Director

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Introducing the Trust My Garage £1,000 Guarantee

Today marks the launch of the TMG £1,000 Guarantee - A first of its kind financial reassurance scheme for consumers, and another added benefit of TMG membership.

You MUST complete your compulsory MOT Annual Training this month

You have 30 days left to complete your MOT annual training, to avoid disciplinary consequences and losing your tester status. Need last minute training? View our availability and cut-off dates here.

Business Rates - What’s Changing?

Find out why business rates are changing, how to check your new valuation, and what to do if you don’t agree with your new estimated bill.

Member Events – March 2017

The full 2017 IGA Member Event line up has been announced! Spaces are limited so book your seats in advance now, plus get last minute availability for our regional annual training events and sign up for our upcoming trade shows.

Passing Your DVSA Risk Assessment is Easy with RMI’s MOT QC Scheme

Find out how IGA member Collison Motoring Services received a glowing score on his DVSA site risk assessment with the help of the RMI’s MOT QC scheme and specialised QC folder.

Exclusive RMI & Autodata Joint Membership Offer - Now Even Better Value

Now that Autodata’s prices have increased, you can save even more money with our exclusive joint RMI and Autodata membership offer.

RMI Academy of Automotive Skills - What’s On In April?

The RMI Academy hosts a wide range of MOT training courses. Read on to find out what’s available in April and book in advance today.

Be Aware - March 2017

This month’s legal update investigates customers using dash cams to record work on their vehicle, whether you need a licence to have a TV or radio on in the workplace, if long term stress counts as a disability and more.

Passed Your Annual Assessment? Remember to Record Your Result

As well as keeping a record of your annual training, you must record your annual assessment result on the MOT testing service. Here’s how you do it.

Autodata Technical Issue 2 - Abnormal Rear Suspension Noise on 2009 Hyundai i30

In this issue of Autodata Technical, a garage asks what the cause of a strange rear suspension noise in their customer's Hyundai i30 could be. Read on to get the solution and print our handy PDF guide.

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Help & Advice

Our team are on hand Monday to Friday 8.30 to 5.30 to offer advice and support on any issues you may have.

0845 305 4230 enquiries@rmif.co.uk

The information contained within this publication is correct at the time of going to press.The RMI reserve the right to make changes to the services offered without prior notification