Lower than six years since its inception the Unbiased Motor Sellers Affiliation has reached the 1,000 member mark.

Conceived to convey impartial sellers collectively for sharing finest apply and assist, and to present a voice to a sometimes fragmented sector of the UK automotive retail trade, the IMDA has grown the assist and providers it offers to members.

IMDA membership brings entry to free authorized recommendation, DVLA assist, reference to greater than 50 provider companions who supply providers and merchandise for used automotive sellers, and a service assist community.

Its chairman and co-founder Umesh Samani, who owns used automotive dealership Specialist Automobiles and its neighbouring workshop Harris Motor Firm in Stoke-on-Trent, stated: “The purpose was to convey these sellers all collectively underneath a recognised affiliation and to assist present them with a voice and assist.

“There may be nonetheless an extended solution to go, and we are going to proceed to get the IMDA title on the market to assist encourage extra high quality impartial sellers to affix us.”

Free to affix, the IMDA encourages its members to comply with a code of conduct which mirror the requirements anticipated when conducting enterprise with customers, following the FCA (Monetary Conduct Authority) precept of Treating Prospects Pretty (TCF), the Shopper Rights Act 2015 and the Shopper Obligation.

Samani stated: “I’m extraordinarily proud that we’ve obtained to this. We obtained laughed at again in 2017 after we arrange the IMDA.

“Because of all of the founder members, present committee members and the companions for his or her continued assist. It is good that we will signify a few of the incredible Unbiased motor sellers, non-franchised and franchised, that do a tremendous job in representing the Unbiased vendor community.”

At Automotive Administration Stay final November Samani and several other IMDA members debated points equivalent to used automotive inventory sourcing and buyer expertise.