When lockdowns were implemented, many people were left wondering about the status of essential services, including car repair garages. It’s crucial to know whether you can get your car repaired if needed, especially for essential journeys. This article clarifies whether car repair garages are open during lockdown periods and what safety measures are in place.
Car Garages and Showrooms: Reopened with Precautions
Following government guidelines, car showrooms were permitted to reopen starting from June 1st. Simultaneously, car repair garages, which in many cases had remained partially operational for emergency repairs, fully resumed their services. However, the reopening and continued operation come with significant adjustments to ensure the safety of both staff and customers.
Garages and showrooms have implemented stringent social distancing rules and various precautionary measures to minimize the risk of virus transmission. Many garages that operated during the strictest lockdown phases had already adopted rigorous hygiene protocols. These included mandatory handwashing and sanitization routines for all staff, alongside the use of protective gloves. Now, these practices are even more widespread, with additional measures in place.
To ensure customer and staff safety, cars are thoroughly sanitized before and after any repair work is undertaken. Garages have also reduced the number of staff present on-site at any given time to facilitate social distancing. Interaction between staff and customers is kept to a minimum, and the two-meter social distancing rule is widely enforced within garage and showroom premises.
Furthermore, online booking systems are increasingly being utilized to manage appointments and reduce physical contact. Many car garages are also offering vehicle collection and delivery services, removing the need for customers to visit the garage in person. For car sales, dealerships are facilitating zero-contact handovers, and providing online consultations to enable customers to complete certain preliminary steps remotely.
Essential Repairs vs. Routine Maintenance During Lockdown
It’s important to understand the distinction between essential car repairs and routine maintenance, especially during lockdown periods when restrictions on movement might be in place. While garages are open, it’s crucial to prioritize urgent repairs that impact vehicle safety and roadworthiness.
The government previously announced an automatic six-month extension for MOT (Ministry of Transport) tests for vehicles whose certificates expired on or after March 30th. This extension means if your MOT expired within this timeframe, you are not immediately required to take your car for testing. As long as your vehicle is roadworthy and safe, you can continue to drive it.
However, this MOT extension does not mean you should ignore serious car issues. If your car has a significant problem that could compromise driving safety, it is permissible and advisable to take it to a garage for assessment and necessary repairs. Essential repairs cover issues that directly affect the safe operation of your vehicle.
On the other hand, general maintenance or minor problems that do not pose an immediate safety risk can often be deferred. These could include routine servicing, minor cosmetic repairs, or upgrades that are not essential for the car’s safe functioning. In some instances, for minor maintenance tasks, you might even be able to perform the work yourself. The government has provided a vehicle safety checklist to help you assess your car’s basic condition, which you can access here.
Conclusion
Car repair garages are indeed open during lockdown periods to provide essential services, ensuring that vehicles remain safe and roadworthy, particularly for essential travel. They operate with enhanced safety measures, including social distancing and sanitization, to protect customers and staff. While routine maintenance can often be postponed, it’s crucial to address any car issues that affect safety promptly. Always check with your local garage for their specific operating procedures and service offerings during any lockdown situation.
