The summer challenges on steering and suspension
First Line says the wounds of harsh winter conditions are showing in workshops. Successive years of heavy rainfall, combined with repeated freeze-thaw cycles, have accelerated road surface deterioration, leading to a rise in pothole-related damage. PMF asks Kevin Olds what the challenges are when cold and wet weather makes way for hotter and drier conditions.
Q. As we move towards summer, what can go wrong for steering and suspension systems?
A. While steering and suspension issues are often associated with winter, the impact of poor road conditions continues long into the summer months. Pothole damage sustained during winter can lead to accelerated wear of suspension arms, bushes, stabiliser links, tie rod ends, and top mounts.
As motorists undertake more leisure journeys, holiday travel, and higher-mileage driving, existing wear becomes more noticeable through increased noise, vibration, uneven tyre wear, and compromised handling. For hybrid and electric vehicles, the additional vehicle weight places even greater strain on steering and suspension components, making preventative maintenance increasingly important.
Q. What upsell opportunities are there?
A. Steering and suspension repairs naturally create several upsell opportunities. When replacing components, such as suspension arms, tie rod ends, or stabiliser links, we recommend that workshops also inspect related parts, including bushes, rack ends, top mounts, and engine mounts. By promoting a complete system inspection rather than a single component replacement, motor factors can help workshops improve repair quality and safety while increasing average transaction values.
Q. What does First Line’s customer service look like?
A. At First Line, customer service is built around helping motor factors maximise sales opportunities while minimising downtime. Our dedicated sales teams, technical support specialists, and customer service advisors work closely with factors to ensure quick responses, accurate application data, and reliable product availability.
With extensive catalogue support, strong vehicle parc coverage, and a focus on first-time-right supply, we aim to make it easy for factors to meet workshop demand and retain customer loyalty.
Q. How does First Line support motor factors with stock management?
A. Stock management is a key area; we continuously analyse vehicle parc trends, repair data, and market demand to ensure range and availability remain relevant and profitable.
Our steering and suspension programme now exceeds 8,700 references. This, alongside our other product lines, enables factors to source a significant proportion of their requirements from a single supplier. Regular new-to-range introductions, including coverage for emerging EV brands – such as BYD and MG – help factors stay ahead of market developments while reducing the risk of missed sales opportunities.
Q. Steering and suspension is a competitive market – how does First Line stand out?
A. The combination of range depth, quality, and availability makes us a strong proposition. We offer comprehensive coverage of the UK vehicle parc, while components undergo rigorous dimensional, material, and durability testing to ensure OE-quality performance.
