The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) has been extremely concerned by the high numbers of thefts of powered two wheeler (PTW) vehicles. As professional representatives, they have put together a new star rating system to help customers choose wisely.
What is this new system based on?
Currently, there is no simple way of telling which security devices are fitted to the PTWs you are perusing. Most have some security features built in as standard.
MCIA’s new star system gives one star for each of these five security features:
- Vehicle tracking
- Forensic marking system
- Alarm
- UNECE 62U standard steering lock
- Ignition immobiliser
Motorcycles and scooters that are 125cc/11kw and over will be able to achieve five ‘MCIA Secured’ stars. Those that are under this power capacity will have a maximum of three available stars.
These may be manufacturer or dealer fitted. But they must be as standard on all the available PTWs to get the MCIA stamp. ‘Optional extras’ don’t count.
MCIA state that their work is not complete: “as technology evolves and new security products are introduced, so will MCIA SECURED – meaning that the items required to gain a star will change over time to ensure that the most relevant security is highlighted.”
How is this MCIA Secured system helpful?
There are two advantages to the introduction of this new security rating system. Firstly, as most of the main motorcycle manufacturers have signed up, it gives clarity to the PTW buyer.
Secondly, as customers become savvier, they will hopefully begin to choose bikes and scooters with more security features as standard. As manufacturers begin to see this impact on their sales over time, it will hopefully nudge them into a more security focused direction.
It’s an immediate marketing win for those companies that already have four or five of these security features.
What are the holes in the scheme?
The security devices themselves are not being tested or endorsed by MCIA. This is just a summary of the standard fitted features.
Also, customers will still have to read into the details of which of the five features are fitted as standard.
What about you, as a MCIA member?
While you’re busy tackling the real issues that affect your customers and proactively leading your industry into the future, are you looking after yourself financially?
We’re talking about your tax position. As a MCIA member, you are entitled to a variety of tax allowances and rebates that you may not even be aware of. We know your members are from a varied pool of sub specialists: accessory and component suppliers, service providers, importers, manufacturers, and marketing and PR agencies. HMRC’s regulations are sometimes industry specific, like flat rate expenses, but are mostly applicable to all sectors. Providing you meet the specific criteria of the allowance you are applying for.
Our successful long term involvement with the motor vehicle industry has taught us that many of its members are missing out on their tax relief entitlement. This is usually because they just don’t know about it, are put off by additional time and paperwork requirements, or presume it wouldn’t be financially worthwhile.
We specialise in supporting motorbike technicians and mechanics who spend their own money on tools and equipment to be able to do their job. Most spend thousands of pounds with tool providers like MAC tools and Snap on Tools to get what they need to perform their duties of employment.
The most common inclusions in motor vehicle tax rebate submissions are:
- Tools and equipment: as a flat rate allowance on tool expenditure up to £120 a year, or capital allowances based on the actual amount you spend. Enter your figures into our Tools Tax Rebate Calculator to get a personalised estimate of how much your claim may be worth.
- Finance agreements: you are entitled to claim tax relief on the interest you pay on your finance agreements.
- Uniform: tax relief on the cost of cleaning your work uniform and buying replacement items – including safety boots and other protective items.
- Professional organisation fees: MCIA is not yet on HMRC’s Approved Professional Bodies list unfortunately. SO you cannot claim tax relief on their subscription fee. But plenty of other motor industry bodies and Trade Unions do have these agreements in place, so it’s worth checking.
- Mileage: you can claim the difference, if your employer only pays you a portion of the AMAP allowance amount or the full AMAP rates if they don’t pay you at all.
