The Alliance Automotive Group (AAG) has opened the door for 1,200 of its UK garage network partners to sign up to The Motor Ombudsman code of practice.
The partnership will see garages offered the opportunity to sign up to the Ombudsman’s Code of Practice for Service and Repair.
Once signed up to the code, garages will then be able to use the independent body’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service.
AAG is a distributor of passenger and commercial vehicle parts to motor factors, garages, franchise networks and public services throughout the UK and Ireland.
The AAG’s nationwide network of approved garages include AutoCare, Top Truck, United Garage Services and NexDrive.
Subject to meeting the qualifying criteria to become part of the Code, garages will be able to signpost consumers to The Motor Ombudsman for assistance to help conclude disputes using the body’s in-house automotive service.
More than 7,500 vehicle repairers across the UK are currently signed up to the code guidelines which cover areas, such as the booking-in of a vehicle, the work conducted and transparency for billing, as well as authorising additional repairs with the agreement of customers beyond the initial scope of work.
Bill Fennell, chief ombudsman and managing director of The Motor Ombudsman, said: “AAG and their garage networks align with our values in their quest for the very highest level of customer satisfaction and to do the right thing by their consumers.
“This partnership therefore brings together two prominent organisations in their field with a common goal to move standards forward in the motor industry, and allow more motorists to have access to reputable garages that are committed to excellence.”
Tim Clement, head of workshop solutions at Alliance Automotive Group UK and Ireland, added: “We want our garages to be the very best that they possibly can be, and this collaboration reinforces our dedication to always raising the bar even higher when it comes to the level of service and work delivered to motorists, and ultimately challenges the status quo.
“We look forward to working with The Motor Ombudsman and building on the formidable expertise that this collaboration will offer.”