Industry leaders including the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) and the boss of LKQ UK and Ireland have called for access to the SERMI scheme – recently given approval in the UK – to be made mandatory.
The Security-related Repair and Maintenance Information (SERMI) scheme provides independent garages with the opportunity to source essential security information such as key and ECU coding directly from vehicle manufacturers. However, it is currently voluntary, and access to SERMI for a garage's owner and one technician costs a one-off payment of £1800 plus VAT or £30 per month plus VAT. Additional mechanics can be added for a one-off fee of £125.
Access to SERMI being voluntary means "every garage should judge accreditation against their own business case", the IAAF said in a statement. "If a garage is currently not involved heavily in anti-theft related repair activities such as coding keys and repairing door locks, there is little reason to justify signing up."
That it is voluntary also raises questions over manufacturer support, it said.
As such it is calling for it to be mandated, mirroring the approach taken by the European Union – which is where SERMI originated.
Kevan Wooden, chief executive of LKQ UK&I, hailed the scheme's approval as "a hugely significant moment for the independent aftermarket".
However, he has backed the calls for it to be mandated, because approval "does not in itself create a legal obligation on manufacturers to comply".
This would "ensure consistency, reduce uncertainty and create a genuinely level playing field", he added.
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