The Motor Ombudsman has announced a new partnership with Alliance Automotive Group (AAG), a leading distributor of passenger and commercial vehicle parts across the UK and Ireland.
This collaboration is designed to expand the network of Motor Ombudsman-accredited vehicle repairers and increase the availability of the organisation’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services to both businesses and consumers.
AAG’s extensive network of 1,200 Approved Garages, including AutoCare, Top Truck, United Garage Services, and NexDrive, will be encouraged to apply for accreditation to The Motor Ombudsman’s Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)-approved Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair. This formal affiliation strengthens AAG’s commitment to industry best practice and customer service excellence.
The partnership aims to provide AAG’s Garage Networks members with access to The Motor Ombudsman’s ADR service in the event of unresolved customer disputes. Garages that meet the Code’s stringent qualifying criteria will be able to direct consumers to The Motor Ombudsman for assistance in resolving disputes through its expert automotive service.
The Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair, established in 2008, sets a benchmark for best practice in the vehicle maintenance sector. It goes beyond legal requirements, covering areas such as vehicle booking-in, work conducted, billing transparency, and authorisation of additional repairs. Currently, over 7,500 repairers across the UK adhere to the Code.
Accreditation to the Code offers businesses a competitive advantage, allowing them to use The Motor Ombudsman and Approved Code logos in customer-facing areas and marketing materials. Accredited garages also benefit from increased visibility through The Motor Ombudsman’s online Garage Finder, access to webinars and learning initiatives, and the opportunity to be nominated for Motor Ombudsman Star Awards.
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, explained: “We are very excited to be partnering with an authority in the automotive sector, such as The Motor Ombudsman. 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.”
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