From the Frontline: Stockport Truck Centre predicts a rush for MoT'd trailers

The suspension of MoTs will create a huge backlog when testing resumes and used stock with valid tests will be in high demand. That’s according to Andy Livingstone, trailer sales manager at Stockport Truck Centre (STC).

A busy week for the business prior to the announcement of the nationwide lockdown has been followed up this week with a rental deal for four trailers to a pharmaceutical distributor to help with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The single temperature units (pictured) were safety checked, LOLER tested and had their fridges serviced all within 24 hours of the call coming through from a rental company. Along with fridge units, demand for box vans is also currently high, but Livingstone expects business to pick up further still when restrictions are lifted.

“I think a lot of people will be taking their older trailers off the road as things quieten down, they’ll be looking at them and thinking they’ll need to be replaced as people are going to have to build back up again and new stock will replace the old. Customers also aren’t getting MoTs so they’ll be a big backlog which will mean operators will look to buy stock with a valid MoT. I can see a lot of demand for them from operators looking to get back up and running quickly and who can’t get them into the workshops. I think they’ll be a lot of part-exs coming in.”

STCs workshop continues to operate albeit with “reduced productivity” explained Livingstone who said that staff are now working with one mechanic per bay in order to comply with government guidelines.

While Livingstone expects some businesses to invest, he did, however, provide a sobering warning provided by one of his customers.

“I had a customer who told me this morning that if this goes on for as long as 12 weeks it will take him two years to get back to where we are today.”