ARC360 News – Friday 20 February 2026

Anticipation builds for ARC360 2026 with new speakers and key industry backing

Excitement is building for ARC360 2026, with more than 70 senior insurance leaders confirmed to attend and a growing speaker line-up set to deliver powerful insight and strategy for the vehicle repair and motor claims sector. Taking place on Thursday 21 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, ARC360 2026 brings together the sector’s most influential voices for a day of high-level discussion, market intelligence and future-focused collaboration. Read more

ARC360 2025 event revisited

With this year’s event continuing to gain momentum, here’s a reminder of all the action, discussions and insights from last year’s event. Read more

ARIES is calling on repairers to ensure they verify their commitment to sustainability to secure investment opportunities. If you demonstrated your commitment to ARIES during 2025, you have until 31 March to create and upload your Carbon Reduction Management Plan, and have it verified no later than 30 April 2026. If you joined ARIES, after 1 January 2026, you will have 90 days from declaring commitment to create and upload your Carbon Reduction Management Plan followed by 30 days to have it verified. Read more

Precision Repair Group (PRG) – launched in 2025 as a new national collision repair group – has joined ILC as a Motor Corporate Partner. Read more

New research has revealed 34.9% of Category N vehicles could have been repaired using modern SMART repair techniques according toRevive! Auto Innovations. Read more

Fix Auto UK marked the conclusion of National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9 – 15 February) by launching its ‘Class of 2026’ Apprentice Programme – a nationwide initiative designed to build long-term careers and strengthen the future of the vehicle repair sector. Read more

Summers Accident Repair Centre has once again passed its Volkswagen Group UK Accident Repair approved repairer audit. The business has been VWG approved since 1987.

ITAS – International Technical Automotive Systems is pleased to announce the continuation of its services and support contract withRenault UK, which encompasses technical training, network management, consultancy, training development, software systems, and the paint training academy until the end of 2029. Read more

Evan Boon has started a new position as Halo ARC Ltd Bodyshop Manager Trainer.

Fylde Coast Accident Repair Centre Ltd has agreed a new long-term telephony partnership with Dataquest Group to support its ongoing focus on efficiency and customer experience.

Fix Auto Penzance has taken another significant step in its sustainability journey by adopting RWC Training’s innovative Train to Gain programme – becoming the second site within the Fix Auto UK network to implement the carbon-conscious training model. Read more

Williams Accident Repair has joined theAutoFlow network. Read more

TIDAL has announced a new strategic partnership with Norton Abrasives, part of Saint-Gobain Saint-Gobain, strengthening support for its independent distributor network across the UK & Ireland. Read more

Bodyshop consultant, Ray Jenkins is hosting a new IMI Bodyshop Management Course: Getting Results and Making Profit on Wednesday, 23 April 2026. Read more

Car and van fast-fit business ATS Euromaster has today announced proposals to begin a structured wind-down of its operations in the UK. The move comes after the closure of 86 of its most unprofitable centres in 2025 failed to halt significant financial losses in a market experiencing over-capacity, rising costs and shifting consumer behaviour. Read more

Kia UK partners with Wrisk to deliver next-generation insurance experience

Kia UK has partnered with insurance technology provider Wrisk Transfer Ltd (Wrisk) to introduce a new, customer-focused insurance journey for all new and used car buyers. The collaboration modernises and streamlines Kia’s Car Insurance and Accident Aftercare offerings, delivering greater flexibility, transparency, and convenience. Read more

Electrification advances unevenly across Europe amid persistent structural barriers 

Transport & Mobility Leuven (TML) has published its fourth quarterly update of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), providing a fresh snapshot of how Europe is progressing toward the transition to zero-emission mobility. Read more

Tesla’s Austin Robotaxis Report 14 Crashes in First Eight Months 

US: Tesla Inc.’s robotaxis have been involved in over a dozen crashes in Austin since service began, according to reports the carmaker has made to regulators. Read more

Nissan Qashqai tops most clocked cars list, finds carVertical 

The Nissan Qashqai was the most commonly clocked car in 2025, according to new figures from carVertical. Data from the vehicle history platform found that 9.7% of Qashqais checked showed signs of mileage being wound back, with an average rollback of 15,490 miles. Read more

New Polestar 2 among four new models due by 2028

Polestar will launch an all-new version of the Polestar 2 alongside three other models by 2028. The Polestar 5 will arrive first, this summer. The four-door grand tourer will arrive as a key rival for the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan. Prices start at £89,500 and the the car offers a range of up to 416 miles. Read more

Dual supply: the FCA-ready total loss supplier model

A dual‑supply structure removes single‑provider dependency, strengthens continuity during disruption, and provides the demonstrable control the FCA expects over critical claims services. It delivers a more stable, accountable, and regulator‑aligned total loss operation. Read more

Repairify launches asTech Digital ADAS Pro+ v2 to boost calibration coverage

Repairify has expanded its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) portfolio with the launch of the asTech Digital ADAS Pro+ v2, reinforcing its position as the UK’s only true full-service diagnostics and calibration provider. Read more

Organised Crime Gangs – how they operate 

Organised vehicle crime is no longer a collection of thefts. It is an ecosystem. It is not random or opportunistic. It is structured, deliberate and driven by profit. To reduce it effectively, we must understand how organised crime gangs actually operate, not just how they steal vehicles, but how they organise, protect, and grow their activity. Read more

Parents: the critical ‘blind spot’ in automotive recruitment strategies 

New exclusive data from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) suggests parents and carers are a ‘key point of failure’ in attracting new talent to the sector. According to YouGov research commissioned by the IMI, while 90% of parents would consider an apprenticeship for their child, fewer than half (41%) would encourage an automotive pathway. Read more

The DIY Driving Test: Ageas anticipates surge in private-car tests as Spring DVSA overhaul looms 

Car insurance provider Ageas is predicting a significant shift in how the UK takes its driving tests, as an upcoming DVSA booking overhaul is expected to trigger a surge in “DIY” driving tests. Under the upcoming DVSA reforms, learners will be responsible for booking their own tests, in an attempt to reduce long waiting times and make the system fairer by stopping third parties from exploiting learners. Read more

Pothole pain persists: Vehicle breakdowns where poor roads were to blame rose 15% last year 

Last year saw a 15% increase in the number of drivers suffering pothole-related breakdowns, new RAC Pothole Index data shows. The RAC’s expert patrols attended a total of 26,048 breakdowns in 2025 – the equivalent of 71 every day – where damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs or distorted wheels were the cause, up 3,345 from the 22,703 logged in the previous year. Read more

2025 Battery Performance Index launched

Generational has published the first edition of its Generational 2025 Battery Performance Index. This is the UK’s largest analysis of EV battery condition conducted to date, based on 8,000+ battery health assessments conducted in 2025 across BEVs and PHEVs, passenger cars and LCVs, spanning 0–12 years and 0–160,000+ miles. Read more

Stephan Walker has joined SX3 Independent Claims Consultants as Managing Director. 

Philip Weston has joined Autoglass as Technical Training and Warranty Team Manager.