Pro Installer April 2019 - Issue 73 | Page 37

APRIL 2019 | 37 Motoring Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk WHEEL DAMAGE FROM POTHOLES SET TO REDUCE Beleaguered British motorists suffering the scourge of pothole damage have been given a lifeline following prestigious approval of a wheel protection system designed in the UK by AlloyGator. Many motorists won’t need telling but research has estimated that as many as four out of five cars on UK roads have damaged alloy wheels, many of these by hitting a pothole. However, AlloyGator believes this number of damaged wheels will drop dramatically as more motorists see the benefits of having alloy-wheel protection following recent stringent testing and approval of its award-winning wheel protection system in the Czech Republic by TÜV SÜD, glob- ally renowned for product testing and safety compliance. However, despite motorists being offered a solution to protect their wheels, a survey has indi- cated that millions of cars in the UK are being driven around with four out of five ‘ cars on UK roads have damaged alloy wheels ’ scuffs and scrapes to their alloy wheels. Made from super-tough nylon, the AlloyGator wheel protectors are available in a range of colours and are designed to fit between the wheel rim and the tyre, pro- tecting the wheel and reducing the risk of damaged caused by scuffs from kerbs and potholes. AlloyGator Exclusive wheel protectors are available as sets or singles, and can be purchased with professional, five-star fitting from the company’s website. AlloyGator also offer an official fitting kit and handy step by step instructions for those people fitting them them- selves. www.alloygator.co.uk DRIVERS UNAWARE OF RULES ABOUT SERVICING AND VEHICLE WARRANTIES Almost half of Britain’s car owners (44 per cent) believe that getting their car serviced by an independent garage will invalidate their warranty, despite a change in the law nearly 15 years ago that prevents this from being the case. The statistic was un- covered by nationwide servicing and repair chain Halfords Autocentres, which surveyed over 22,000 motorists via the Halfords Autocentres Roadworthi- ness Quiz, which tests drivers’ knowledge of car maintenance and motoring laws. The Block Exemption Regulation introduced by the European Union in October 2003 means that a vehicle’s warranty is no longer invalidated if a car is serviced at a non-franchise dealer, if manufacturer-ap- proved parts are used. That means car owners have greater choice when it comes to getting their car serviced, including at a Hal- fords Autocentre. The Roadworthiness Quiz, part of Halfords Autocentres Roadworthiness Week, also found that 40 per cent of drivers are unaware of new MOT legislation that came into effect in 2018, which tests items such as diesel particulate filters, reversing lamps and dashboard warn- ing lights. This comes as little surprise as DVSA has re- vealed more than a million motorists have failed the MOT test due to danger- ous defects, since the new rules came into force in May 2018. Other statistics the quiz uncovered were that 40 per cent of drivers had no idea what the minimum legal tread depth on their tyres was and couldn’t correctly identify the date stamp on their tyres to tell how old they are. A further 22 per cent believed that there was no law against driving with an empty screen wash bottle, but this could lead to a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points. The Halfords Roadwor- thiness Quiz features 11 questions aimed at testing drivers’ knowledge in a fun, interactive format, which also aims to help road users understand some of the newer or less well-known Motoring laws. It can be found at www. halfordsautocentres.com/ advice/news/quiz-how- roadworthy-are-you As well as vehicle main- tenance tips, motorists can also test their knowledge of road laws and safety. www.halfordsautocentres. com/car-care/free- safety-check