Join a Trade Body
For most industries, the benefits to small companies joining a trade body may not provide compelling reasons for membership, but for MOT Testing Stations, there is a more compelling reason – VOSA!
If you fall foul of a nit-picking Vehicle Examiner determined to take disciplinary action against you, then most organisations offering trade body membership will represent your case to VOSA – and, more often than not succeed in either reducing or removing altogether the disciplinary action contemplated.
The more the merrier!
And there’s another reason too. If you’ve read our lead article, you’ll see that VOSA seem reluctant to forge a real partnership with the trade through trade body’s representatives; which they often ‘justify’ because so many Testing Stations don’t belong to any trade organisation – so when it comes to trade body membership, ‘the more’, really is ‘the merrier’!
Lobbying and scrutiny
Yet MOT trade bodies do more for MOT Testing Stations than just challenging VOSA’s disciplinary action. They are also the trade’s watchdogs, keeping an eye on VOSA.
Theoretically, VOSA should consult with trade bodies whenever they change regulations or enforcement policy – but it doesn’t always happen. Trade bodies, however, working both independently, and jointly through the MOT Trade Forum keep their ‘ears to the ground’, find out what VOSA are ‘up to’, and if appropriate voice their protest.
Choosing a trade body
Sometimes this is obvious. Tyre suppliers with MOT Testing facility, for example – may choose the NTDA whose 3mm tyre tread depth campaign will strike a chord with their interests.
Some VTSs prefer to join a trade body founded and working on a commercial, profit making, basis, thinking that as a ‘customer’, they will, through commercial imperatives, be offered a good service. Both the ‘MOT Club’, and the MVRA operate in this way.
Alternatively some trade bodies are ‘owned’ by members – in effect, a co-operative. The RMI, Britain’s largest trade body falls into that category – as does the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA).
Whatever your own inclination it is to both general benefit and that of your VTS and its staff to join one or other of the main ‘MOT’ trade bodies. We have asked each to provide us with an update regarding what they offer and their current activities…
The National Tyre Distributors Association – NTDA
With over 2,500 independent tyre centres and 300 leading companies in membership, the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) provides professional representation for the UK’s independent tyre distribution and fast fit specialists with nearly 1000 centres offering MOT service.
Established since 1930
The NTDA was established in 1930, making it one of the automotive industry’s most senior groups. This status is acknowledged by all major tyre industry and motor trade organisations, Government departments, road safety and consumer interest associations, and the media.
The MOT Club
The MOT Club prides itself on adjusting to market change. Originally set up in 2001 for the independent sector of the motor trade, it now provides specialised services to franchise dealer groups and national fast-fit organisations. By focusing on the needs of each area, packages were created to assist members to comply with VOSA standards.
RMIF MOT
The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) is the largest and most influential trade association in the sector. We are involved in all MOT liaison and working groups with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and The Department for Transport (DfT) for the benefit of our members. We also provide the RMIF MOT QC Scheme, which helps protect your MOT authority status through advice and regular inspections.
THE SCOTTISH MOTOR TRADE ASSOCIATION
The Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) was founded in 1903 to encourage, promote and protect members of the motor trade in Scotland. Over 100 years on, that remains the key objective for Scotland’s leading motor trade body.
The SMTA is member led, member driven and member focused, representing businesses in all sectors of the motor industry, from the smallest independent repairer to the largest dealer groups.
Changing demands
The demands and needs of the motor trade have changed over time. The days of paying annually for the ‘privilege’ of simply being associated with a trade body are long gone and members rightly expect more of their trade association. So SMTA members enjoy access to a wide range of benefits and services, on issues such as health and safety, consumer law and employment legislation etc.
Representation
Testing Station members benefit from a comprehensive MOT support service, including representation and assistance for those subject to VOSA’s disciplinary action. This could be as a result of re-inspection of a recently Tested vehicle, a mystery shopper exercise or an inverted appeal inspection. Our success rate is high, but we firmly believe that effective VTS management and preventing a problem from occurring in the first place is the better option. We assist members in this through our MOT Quality Control programme; which offers an expect assessment of a member’s MOT activities, including observation of Testing practices. Our feedback not only identifies potential problem areas but also recommends solutions for any shortcomings.
Financial benefits
For those who are also interested in the financial benefits that trade association membership can offer, they will find that SMTA members are again, well catered for. Every member can take advantage of the ‘core’ money saving opportunities such as preferential rates for motor trade insurance, credit & debit card services and waste management etc. whilst for those who join our subsidiary buying group SMTA (Trading Partners) Ltd, the profit potential and money saving opportunities are even greater, with many products, including tyres, lubricants, stationery, valeting materials and consumables all being available at bulk buying/wholesale rates. In short, we believe that members should be able to save considerably more than the cost of membership by taking advantage of the many savings that are available.
Interested? Then contact
Manager of the Independent Division/MOT Services: David Innes
Contact Details: Tel: 0131 331 5510 Fax: 0131 331 4296
e-mail: david.innes@smta.co.uk
web: www.smta.co.uk