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Sky Summer

MechanicO technical adviser · workshop rules without the waffle

Sky Summer grew up in the Anglian sticks, where a stubborn tractor was an invitation to find the right spanner, not a reason to call it a day. Farm tools were her first puzzles; mechanical engineering came next. Now a technical adviser at MechanicO, she writes about the legal rules and everyday snags that land on garage workbenches. Sky likes to poke at wrinkled problems, question the bits that make no sense, and offer a practical patch you can actually use. Expect a little mischief, a lot of curiosity, and no reverence for paperwork that gets in the way of good work.

Writes about garage rules, workshop practice and mechanical engineering

Sky Summer winking and holding a personalised number plate.

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Articles

AI-generated editorial illustration of a mechanic checking a pad on an empty two-post vehicle lift, with a car parked away from the lift

Workshop safety

Two-Post Lifts: The Checks Worth Making Before a Car Goes Up

A lift certificate matters, but it will not spot a worn pad or a failed arm lock on this morning's job. Here is a practical check to make before anyone goes beneath the car.

Sky Summer · 2026-09-23

Editorial illustration of a garage office desk with a laptop and collection records, overlooking a workshop and closed waste containers

Garage business

Digital Waste Tracking Starts in October: Does Your Garage Need to Act?

England and Wales introduce mandatory digital reporting for covered waste receivers on 1 October. Check your garage's role before buying software, and keep the waste paperwork you already need.

Sky Summer · 2026-09-22

Editorial illustration of an electric van beside a workshop inspection lane, with a clipboard and tread gauge

MOT testing

Heavier Electric Vans: What the Class 7 MOT Change Means for Your Garage

Some zero-emission vans up to 4.25 tonnes have needed a class 7 MOT since June. Check the vehicle class, the weight your equipment can safely handle, and the inspection details before the next booking.

Sky Summer · 2026-09-21

Illustration of a vehicle in an MOT test bay being photographed with a phone

MOT testing

MOT Photos at Test: What Your Garage Actually Needs to Do

DVSA is rolling out vehicle photos during MOT tests, but the upload is still optional. Here is how it works, what makes a useful photo, and what I would check in the test bay now.

Sky Summer · 2026-09-20

Emissions-control component and diagnostic tablet on a clean workshop bench

Workshop law and compliance

DPF, AdBlue and EGR Deletes: A Change Garages Should Start Preparing For

The consultation has closed, but this is not a new law. Here is what the proposed emissions changes could mean for garages. There are four sensible things to do now.

Sky Summer · 2026-09-20