Network manager Phil Seymour said: “We’re confident that our network is providing real value to its members and with this announcement we’re putting our money where our mouth is.
“If we don’t repeatedly generate new leads for our members, they don’t have to pay the monthly members fee.”
To qualify for the exemption garages need to have a star rating, which means they have had five or more active reviews over the last 12 months, and at least three pictures on their garage page.
Garages that gain four leads or more will continue to pay the network’s fee, which will help finance the next stage of its network’s evolution.
The nationwide Approved Garages network is currently generating new customer leads at 5.5 per garage per month on average, new figures show.
March was the best month so far in 2015, with an average of six new leads for every garage member.
The network has also reached a new landmark in terms of membership, with 560 trusted independent garages around the country now trading under the Approved Garages banner.