The Motor Ombudsman has expanded its code of follow for service and restore to cowl cell mechanics, tyre fitters and sensible repairers.

The enlargement coincides with the fifteenth anniversary of the launch of the service and restore code, which was launched on Might 23, 2008.

The code has the principal intention of driving up requirements within the service and restore sector, and lowering the extent of client detriment.

Accreditation has beforehand been open to bodily websites of impartial garages, franchise vendor workshops and physique restore centres throughout the UK.

Nonetheless, shoppers will be capable of obtain the identical degree of safety as having their automobile repaired at mounted premises.

Amongst different necessities, accredited cell mechanics might want to signpost shoppers to The Motor Ombudsman’s free-to-use dispute decision service within the occasion of an unresolved criticism.

The widening and updating of the scope of the code of follow is available in response to each the rising utilization of cell mechanics for automobile repairs, which was notably notable through the pandemic when many motorists have been isolating, in addition to the rising variety of requests for Motor Ombudsman accreditation from off-premises repairers.

Impartial cell mechanics, and people working underneath a franchise association, will now be capable of apply to be part of the code, and will likely be topic, on software, to the identical evaluation as companies with a named location.

The Motor Ombudsman mentioned: “This ensures that the excessive requirements of labor and repair required by accreditation are regularly met.

“Moreover, cell mechanics that decide to working in accordance with the service and restore code, will abide by the identical tips as these adopted by hundreds of companies throughout the nation.”

These clauses embody, using sincere and correct promoting, open and clear pricing, employees that act within the buyer’s finest pursuits, having a swift complaints dealing with course of in place ought to one thing go fallacious, and signposting a automobile proprietor to The Motor Ombudsman’s free-of-charge impartial and neutral Various Dispute Decision (ADR) service to assist attain a good and swift final result, ought to a dispute not be concluded between the 2 events within the first occasion.

An evolving code

Invoice Fennell, chief ombudsman and managing director of The Motor Ombudsman, mentioned: “It’s important that our codes of follow evolve in step with the route of the business and automobile possession traits.

“Cell mechanics and repairers present an necessary and priceless service to shoppers, and increasing our service and restore code to embody this space of the market provides motorists a fair larger degree of safety and recourse when getting their automobile repaired.

“Conversely, cell mechanics could have an automotive authority to seek the advice of for data and experience on managing disputes swiftly and successfully.”