Latest News Archives

Posted on March 29, 2022October 19, 2023 by Natalie Sacbuker

What is the most popular car colour in the UK? The latest stats

Wondering what the most common new car colour is here in the UK?

New statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have confirmed that grey was the shade of choice during 2021 for a fourth consecutive year, with a 24.8% market share.

It was followed closely by black (20.5%), with white and blue lagging behind on 17.2 and 17.0% respectively.

Red had an 8.8% market share while silver, once the default choice for most new car buyers, has dramatically fallen from grace. In 2021, just 6.8% of buyers opted for the shade, down from 8.7% in the previous year.

Yellow and bronze were last on most buyers’ lists, with market shares of 0.5 and 0.3% respectively.

Prior to grey’s reign at the top of the sales charts, silver occupied the number one spot from 2000 to 2008.

It then gave way to black for four years, with white emerging as top dog from 2013 to 2016. Black returned to the number one spot in 2017, but since then grey has been most popular.

SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said: “2021 was anything but normal, but British drivers stuck to their familiar favourites of grey, black and white cars.”

But while last year’s new cars might share the same shades as previous years, under the bonnet there has been a real shift, with one in six buyers choosing to go green.

With car registrations still low compared to pre-pandemic, helping even more drivers move to greener cars – whatever the actual colour – has never been more important.

“Incentives are helping move the market and should continue, but the speed of this shift to electric must be matched by an acceleration in the pace of charging infrastructure investment. Drivers should expect to be able to recharge irrespective of wherever they live, work or visit.”

Buy garage equipment online
Looking to renew or upgrade the equipment in your workshop? From tyre changers and lifts to consumables, we have everything you need in stock. Buy garage equipment online today at Tyre Bay Direct.

Posted on May 15, 2020October 3, 2025 by Natalie Sacbuker

The COVID-19 Guidance for Garages you need to read!

Increased demand for MOT tests, service, maintenance and repair is inevitable as many Brits are set to return to the road. Are you ready to serve in line with the current requirements as set out by the Government & now as expected by your customers?

The first edition of the “COVID-19 Protective Measures: Automotive Aftermarket Sector Industry Guidance and Best Practice” is now live online for garages, warehouses, mobile operations and parts distributors.

Many of you may have remained open throughout the lockdown anyway as key workers providing essential services but that does not mean you should ignore this document.

The new guidance is designed to help businesses operate safely while minimising the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

What does it cover?

The document covers every aspect of the operation, from clear communications with customers and colleagues to social distancing, sanitisation and hygiene.

It even goes as far as the collection/delivery of vehicles from vulnerable owners.

Who made the guide?

This essential document has been produced by the Garage Equipment Association (GEA), Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), so carries some pretty robust industry credentials.

Why have they made this guide?

The collective of super authorities in the automotive aftermarket have identified vehicle mileages starting to climb and have also seen the sector calling for an end to the six-month MOT extension, a move not ruled out by the DVSA.

Are you up to scratch?

Well:

With the automotive aftermarket sector providing employment to more than 370,000 people, it is not only a huge stimulus to the UK economy but to the safety of people, both staff & customers.
There are more than 40 million vehicles licensed in the UK, many of which may need to use the aftermarket sector for servicing or replacement parts.

The figures shown in just these two bullet points show the scale & reach of automotive & we all contribute to that.

We’ll be doing our part & reviewing the guide closely. You can read it below now.

[button text=”READ THE FULL COVID-19 Protective Measures GUIDE” link=”https://www.smmt.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/SMMT_GEA_IAAF_IMI_SMTA_Industry-Guidance-COVID-19-Automotive-Aftermarket-Restart.pdf” target=”_blank”]

Posted on April 28, 2020October 17, 2025 by Natalie Sacbuker

Government £50,000 Scheme and Interest Free Payments

Those following both the governments announcements and Tyre Bay direct closely will already be aware that there is a new scheme in place & updated payment options in place to help businesses affected by Covid-19.

Reported on Garagewire initially, garages are now eligible to receive up to a £50,000 ‘bounce back loans’ under the new government scheme.

The taxpayer-backed loans come after concerns were raised about slow access to existing coronavirus rescue schemes.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak told the House of Commons that the scheme would start from 9 am on Monday 4 May, offering firms loans up to £50,000 within days of applying.

Businesses will be able to apply for the ‘bounce back loans’, free of interest for the first 12 months, up to the value of 25 per cent of their turnover, with a cap of £50,000.

Other Ways to Pay

Klarna

Tyre Bay Direct has also been working hard to offer its customers easier ways to pay by utilising offers on interest-free credit at the checkout.

The announcement of a new partnership with Klarna brings new ways to pay at checkout. It’s a safe and simple way to get the stuff you want when you want it.

You can split your purchase into three equal payments & make automatic payments every 30 days. There is no credit checks and no interest or fees.

Paypal Credit

PayPal Credit is another quick & easy way to purchase from Tyre Bay Direct, whether you already use PayPal or new to it!

Paypal credit offers great terms including 0% interest for 4 months on all baskets over £150, & it couldn’t be easy to use. Find out more by visiting “Spread the cost in 6 simple steps: Paypal Finance“.

Call us!

We’re also able to offer credit on larger purchases through our credit partners, Kennet Leasing. We are constantly updating our offers to bring you affordable credit deals that cost you less.

Call us now on 01527 883 580 to discuss your requirement & how we can help you invest in your business at this challenging time.

Posted on April 8, 2020October 3, 2025 by Natalie Sacbuker

5 tips to stop the spread of coronavirus if your garage is still open

Many of us are now having to consider how to we clean a car to reduce the risk of coronavirus. As an industry carrying out essential work for customers at this time, it is essential we take the necessary precautions to protect others.

valeting a car

Can a car really cause the spread of coronavirus?

The short answer is yes!

Failure to correctly clean a vehicle can easily spread the virus as well as other infections & germs. While some garages are offering contactless services, including collection & drop off, this could be in vain if the vehicle is not being cleaned as part of the hand over process.

What’s more, your staff could be putting themselves at risk if not taking appropriate action before collection.

What can we do as an industry?

If your garage & team are kitted out & briefed correctly then there is no reason for anyone to spread the virus. Consider the following:

Ensure staff has access to basic PPE supplies including facemasks & gloves
Consider using seat covers when your team are driving or working inside a vehicle
Stock up on hand wipes for use on the interior of the vehicle – consider any area someone would normally touch, not just the steering wheel (e.g. door handles, door latches, lock buttons, seat belts and buckles, window buttons, mirrors, radio and climate control buttons)
Could you set up hand sanitising stations around your garage? Are you team washing their hands regularly?
Are technicians sharing tools and therefore increasing the spread of germs? Could this be avoided?

Top tip: don’t store a large pump bottle of hand sanitizer in vehicles throughout the day. As the weather improves more the heat buildup can cause the alcohol in the sanitizer to “boil”. This results in an expansion of the bottle which can lead to leakage. Give your team personal bottles with a policy to monitor usage. Remember, simple steps like this could save lives!

Remember

This is not an extensive list and there will always be more you can do to help.

We advise checking official sources including the UK Government website regularly while you remain open, to ensure you are doing everything possible to minimise the spread & help stop coronavirus!

Sites like KBB have also posted great video guides on how to clean a car to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, including products to avoid.

If you do have to close, could you afford to donate any PPE left to the NHS or other voluntary services?

Other items to help:

[ux_products ids=”8826,50652,8806,8788,8828,8832,8787″]

[ux_products ids=”8821,8823,8822,8833″]

Posted on March 25, 2020May 27, 2020 by Natalie Sacbuker

COVID-19 Update: We are still here for Key Workers!

[section bg_color=”rgb(197, 0, 0)” dark=”true”]

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, delivery times may be a bit longer than normal.

Please allow 3 – 5 days for your order to arrive.

As we are currently running on a skeleton staff to ensure social distancing practises are observed, there may also be a slight delay in dealing with enquiries.

We’re working hard to ensure these disruptions are kept to a minimum, but appreciate your patience & understanding at this time.

Please use our contact form if you have been unable to get through and we will call you back ASAP.

[/section]

Tyre Bay Direct remains open & ready to serve key workers including 250,000 NHS volunteers!

In light of the government’s latest update, Tyre Bay Direct is ready to help you through these uncertain times as we look to keep our key workers on the road!

Alongside many tyre fitters & garages that will remain open and continue to serve key workers, we too are open to ensure you have access to the essential equipment and tyre fitting consumables you need to complete your job.

Ordering online or over the phone is a safe and reliable way to purchase the essentials to keep your business running & serving the key workers of the country.

[button text=”SHOP ONLINE NOW” link=”https://ruben-staging.tyrebaydirect.com/”]

[button text=”CALL TO ORDER | 01527 883 580″ link=”tel:01527883580″]

250,000 NHS Volunteers

As the UK Government seeks to recruit 250,000 volunteers to help the NHS is looking after the most vulnerable, we’re no doubt set to see some increase in what was otherwise maybe a dwindling demand.

Many of these volunteers will require regular access to their vehicle. Keeping them safe & on the road is our responsibility!

Could you or someone you know join these volunteer? You can sign up now online.

Order Now

Please order online 24/7 or give our team a call on 01527 883 580 today!

We’ll continue to work hard & ensure minimal disruption to our supply, whilst ensuring our team remain healthy so we can help you stay open & ready to fit!