Nationwide Trading Standards Services receive many complaints about motor vehicles, vehicle repairs and servicing.
In 1998 North Lincolnshire Council's Trading Standards formed a partnership with local motor trade dealers. The partnership aims to improve customer satisfaction levels and reduce the number of motor trade complaints.
The motor trade related complaint levels in North Lincolnshire have fallen each year since the start of the partnership despite a national rise in dissatisfied customers.
Trading Standards inspects and audits members to make sure they are complying with the rules and conditions of the scheme. This includes having a nominated complaints contact and complaints procedure.
Membership is not compulsory for garages and is subject to an annual fee, so by choosing to be in the scheme, traders are showing a positive commitment to customer care and satisfaction.
If you do make a complaint, the business will follow an approved customer complaints procedure. This will involve a nominated person who is responsible for ensuring that the scheme’s complaints procedure is followed.
If your complaint is not resolved within 14 days, the matter can be referred by you or the member to Trading Standards who will help resolve your problem.
How will I know that a business is a member of the scheme?
Look for the logo at your local garage, in the local media or see the current members list.
If you have a complaint about the work or actions of one of the members of the partnership, please contact the complaints contact for the garage concerned.
If you are interested in joining the partnership, please contact the Chairman of the Motor Trade Partnership, Tim Spavin of J H Spavin, Moorwell Road, Scunthorpe or you can email Tim directly at tim@jhspavin.com.