SERMI Now Live: A Momentous Day for Independent Garages

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) today confirms that the SERMI scheme is now officially live in the UK, marking a defining moment for the independent garage sector.

After 17 years of sustained effort to secure fair access to essential vehicle data, today marks the point where that ambition becomes reality.

From this moment, independent garages that meet the required standards can access security-related repair and maintenance information through a secure, manufacturer-recognised framework, something that has long been out of reach.

This is not simply the launch of a scheme, it is the delivery of a long-fought industry objective that fundamentally changes how independent garages operate within a modern vehicle parc.

As vehicles have become more complex and increasingly governed by security-controlled systems, access to critical information has become essential for carrying out complete and professional repairs. SERMI establishes, for the first time, a trusted and regulated route to that access, supporting both consumer choice and the independent sector.

The UK stands alone as the only country outside the European Union to achieve full approval and implementation of SERMI, reflecting the scale of coordination and determination required to reach this point.

The scheme goes live with strong manufacturer backing, including Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford and Peugeot, contributing to a total of 22 brands now committed in the UK. This level of support ensures that SERMI is not only operational from day one, but meaningful in practice.

Stuart James, Chief Executive of the IGA, said: “Today matters. This is the point where years of work, challenge and persistence deliver something tangible for independent garages across the UK.

SERMI changes the position of the independent sector. It gives professional, compliant businesses access to the information they need to repair modern vehicles properly, safely, and legitimately.

It also sends a clear message about the capability and standards within our sector. Garages that achieve SERMI approval are demonstrating that they meet a recognised, trusted benchmark, one that is supported by manufacturers and understood across Europe.

We are proud to have led this work in the UK and to have reached this stage. Our focus is now on supporting garages that wish to engage with the scheme and helping the benefits reach the wider sector.”

The IGA has worked in close partnership with government, European bodies and industry stakeholders to bring SERMI into operation in the UK, including securing access to the European Trust Centre and establishing the framework required for UK businesses.

With the scheme now live, attention turns to adoption. Garages are encouraged to begin the onboarding process, with requirements including DBS checks and application lead times forming part of the approval process.

The IGA will continue to support the sector as SERMI becomes embedded, ensuring garages are informed, prepared, and able to take full advantage of what is now in place.

This marks a significant step forward for the independent sector, one that strengthens its position, supports its future, and reflects the standards it continues to uphold.