The Motor Ombudsman has expanded the coverage of its Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair to include mobile mechanics, tyre fitters, and smart repairers.
Accreditation for the Code has previously only been applicable to the physical sites of independent garages, franchise dealer workshops, and body repair centres across the UK. However, it now offers consumers the same level of protection when using a mobile mechanic as if they had taken their vehicle to a workshop.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)-approved Code was unveiled 15 years ago with the principal aims of driving up standards in the service and repair sector, and reducing the level of consumer detriment.
The addition of mobile mechanics to the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair comes in response to a growing use of these services for vehicle repairs. Use of these services grew during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued to be popular, especially with an increasing number of drivers working at home. In addition, there has been an increasing number of requests for Motor Ombudsman accreditation from off-premises repairers.
Independent mobile mechanics, and those operating under a franchise arrangement, will now be able to apply to be a part of the Code, and will be subject, on application, to the same stringent assessment as businesses with a named location. This ensures that the high standards of work and service required by Motor Ombudsman accreditation are continually met.
Mobile mechanics to follow code
Mobile mechanics that commit to operating in accordance with the Service and Repair Code will abide by the same guidelines as those followed by thousands of businesses across the country.
These clauses include, the use of honest and accurate advertising, open and transparent pricing, staff that act in the customer’s best interests, having a swift complaints handling process in place should something go wrong, and signposting a vehicle owner to The Motor Ombudsman’s free-of-charge independent and impartial Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service to help reach a fair and swift outcome, should a dispute not be concluded between the two parties in the first instance.
Acreditation with The Motor Ombudsman also offers a suite of benefits, such as access to the body’s Business Line for advice and guidance relating to best practice and the handling of disputes, the ability to display The Motor Ombudsman’s Service and Repair and Approved Code logos on websites and vehicles, the opportunity to generate leads through a profile page on the popular Garage Finder (TheMotorOmbudsman.org/Garage-Finder) and other marketing initiatives, the option to undertake exclusive training courses tailored to the automotive sector, as well as the ability to enter The Motor Ombudsman’s annual Garage Star Awards.
“It is essential that our Codes of Practice evolve in line with the direction of the industry and vehicle ownership trends,” commented Bill Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director of The Motor Ombudsman. “Mobile mechanics and repairers provide an important and valuable service to consumers, and expanding our Service and Repair Code to encompass this area of the market gives motorists an even greater level of protection and recourse when getting their vehicle repaired. Conversely, mobile mechanics will have an automotive authority to consult for information and expertise on managing disputes swiftly and effectively.”
“We look forward to welcoming mobile mechanics and repairers to our Code of Practice, and building the coverage of our UK-wide accredited network in this growing segment of the service and repair sector.”
