The new Motor Ombudsman launched last week with a warning that nearly half of the nation’s drivers put their safety at risk along with the safety of other road users by avoiding taking their car to a garage despite suspecting a fault.
The major barriers to seeking professional garage advice are “not being able to explain what’s wrong with their car” and “feeling intimidated by the garage”, new research of 1,000 UK drivers has found.
38 per cent of motorists have skipped having their car serviced, with the biggest concern for vehicle owners is a fear of overcharging.
The new Motor Ombudsman – the first ombudsman specifically for the automotive sector – is built on a track record of successfully resolving more than 99 per cent of disputes for nearly a decade under the Motor Codes name
It is responsible for providing an impartial service between consumers and its 7,500 accredited businesses to resolve motoring-related disagreements outside of the courtroom.
Jodie Kidd, the spokesperson for the launch of The Motor Ombudsman, said: “I definitely understand that not knowing too much about cars can put people off taking their car to the garage, no one wants to draw attention to their ignorance.
“Another big worry is the cost associated with the work that needs to be done, meaning we’re skipping services.
“Having a reliable guide to help find a reputable garage with credible professionals fills us with confidence and allows us to address any potential issues.
“In the rare event of a dispute, The Motor Ombudsman can provide a free of charge un-biased service ensuring peace of mind and a stress free experience.”
Bill Fennell, chief ombudsman and managing director of The Motor Ombudsman, said: “Our ultimate aim is to give consumers peace of mind, ease relations between garages and motorists and find the fairest solution for both parties should a dispute arise.
“All our accredited garages comply with our comprehensive Trading Standards-approved Codes of Practice and our service is completely free for the public.”
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