BTE IN LOCKDOWN - COVID19

Barry Parker • Mar 25, 2020

BTE AUTOMOTIVE MAKES 'THE RIGHT DECISION ON COVID 19'

Further to our Governments update on Tuesday 23rd March 2020, it was decided that that non-essential services close with immediate effect;

Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do

  • Stay at home
  • Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (where this absolutely cannot be done from home)
  • Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
  • Wash your hands as soon as you get home

It was advised that 'Garages' would be able to stay open during this phase of isolation - something that we both felt would be extremely counterproductive to the battle of this virus.

Both myself and fellow business owner Danny Maines of AutoDan Ltd made contact to discuss how we could collaborate and ensure safety for our employees, customers, community and the vulnerable people in wider society. We are working together as a force to encourage other business owners that this is 'The Right Thing To Do'.

Both BTE Automotive and AutoDan will close on Tuesday 24th March at 5:30pm and complete a three week isolation stage - returning on Tuesday April 14th 2020.

We will continue to monitor and respond to government advice on this.

If you are a Key Worker in need of Technical assistance, support or advice you can call or message either; 

Barry Lee Parker 07741163071 (BTE)
Danny Maines 07774210812 (AutoDan)

Both teams have been working hard behind the scenes to update and advise clients of the temporary lockdown. All bookings were scheduled to the Tuesday 14th April onwards.

SOME GUIDANCE ON MOT TESTING;

Coronavirus (COVID-19): MOTs for cars, vans and motorcycles due from 30 March 2020

What will happen if your car, van or motorcycle’s MOT due date is on or after 30 March 2020, including what you need to do to keep your vehicle safe to drive.

From 30 March 2020, MOT due dates for cars, motorcycles and light vans will be extended by 6 months. This is being done to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

You do not need to do anything to extend your vehicle’s MOT expiry date if it’s on or after 30 March 2020. However, you must keep your vehicle safe to drive.

Your vehicle will be automatically given a 6-month MOT exemption. This will extend your current MOT expiry date by 6 months.

EXAMPLE

Your vehicle’s MOT was due to expire on 3 April 2020.

This will automatically be extended to 3 October 2020. You will need to get your MOT by this date.

You can check your MOT history to see when you have been issued an exemption. It will not be updated straight away, so keep checking back if your new due date MOT is not yet showing.

You will not get a paper exemption certificate.

If your vehicle tax is due, you can tax your vehicle as soon as your MOT due date has been updated.

IF YOUR VEHICLE’S FIRST MOT IS DUE

Your vehicle will be automatically given a 6-month MOT exemption from the date its first MOT was due.

If your first MOT was due before 30 March 2020 and your vehicle did not pass
Your vehicle will not get an extension to its MOT due date.

Your vehicle will need to pass an MOT before you can drive it again.

IF YOU NEED YOUR VEHICLE

The government is allowing MOT centres and garages to remain open. So you can still get an MOT if you need your vehicle:

 - to shop for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
 - for any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
 - to travel to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home


KEEP YOUR VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE

You must make sure your vehicle is safe to drive (‘roadworthy’). It can be unsafe even if your MOT expiry date has been extended.

Find out how to check your vehicle is safe and read the rules about vehicle maintenance, safety and security.

You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

You should still take your vehicle to be repaired at the nearest open garage. The government is allowing them to remain open.

BTE Automotive and AutoDan are providing a support system to answer questions or concerns.

HOW WE WILL CONTINUE

With the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) affecting the way that we all work and live, we want to provide you with assurances on how BTE Automotive will continue to support you during the coming weeks and months.

BTE Automotive have increased our already diligent hygiene procedure to include even more processes that will significantly reduce the potential spread of any virus, this includes;

- Collection and Delivery of Vehicles
- Temporary Shutdown of our valeting services
- Sanitising solution available for customers
- Team members wearing gloves
- Additional Hand Washing Procedures
- Clear direction on how we work during a pandemic
- FREE maintenance repair works to KEY WORKER vehicles

We provide many services within our community and to vital public health and key workers. We feel we are part of the network that supports the community and will work diligently to ensure we support the community as best we can..

It's a serious situation and the COVID19 Pandemic is something both BTE and AutoDan are taking extremely seriously.

We continue to monitor Government advice and will act as required to assist in social distancing and/ or the requirements set out by law.

Thank you all for your support!
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