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Drivers are reporting record levels of dissatisfaction with car service and repair scams, research shows.
The first three months of this year saw the highest number of complaints ever made to the Motoring Ombudsman’s dispute resolution service, with a total of 1,604 – an increase of 35 per cent on last year.
And a survey by car service company Fixter reveals that 56 percent of drivers feel they have been overcharged by a mechanic recently.
Here is our anti-scam toolkit to prevent fraudulent repairs.
Seal of approval
Use a workshop accredited by the Motor Ombudsman (TMO) Service and Repair Code. This means you are committed to providing the best level of work and service. Find one using TMO’s Garage Finder tool (themotorombudsman.org/Garage-Finder) or look for TMO logos in the shop.
Safety first – use a workshop accredited by the Automobile Ombudsman’s Service and Repair Code
Shopping around
Don’t be afraid to shop around at local Motor Ombudsman-accredited garages.
Estimates vs. Quotes
Make sure you understand the difference. A budget is a breakdown of costs that serves as a guide to what is required and what may increase or decrease. A quotation is a specific cost estimate and should also be in writing with a breakdown and price agreed upon before work begins.
Photographic records
Take photos of the mileage and the condition of the car inside and out when you return it. Inform the workshop that you have done it. This helps avoid disagreements at pick-up, such as if there were pre-existing scratches or if personal items were left inside.
Under pressure?
Garages should not require deposits or advance payments for services and repair work, nor should they be subject to pressurized sales. If so, stay away.
The check, please
Check that your final invoice reflects the agreed upon work and that the price matches your quote. If additional work was agreed upon later, make sure it is clearly itemized. Keep the final invoice as part of your service history. Proof of service will be needed in the event of a warranty claim.
Resolving differences
If a dispute arises, always try to resolve the issue directly with the workshop first. If something goes wrong, put your complaint in writing. The workshop has up to eight weeks to respond to you.
- Read more of Ray’s motoring tips exclusively on Mail Plus.
