Stuart James, Independent Garage Association director believes franchised dealers are offering discounted MoTs as a “loss leader” for higher priced repair costs.
The IGA is in disagreement with a recent Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and National Franchised Dealer Association (NFDA) initiative which is urging customers to carry out a 10 point visual check of their car before taking their vehicle to a franchised dealership for an MoT.
Both the IGA and the RMI often provide opposing views due to the businesses they represent.
James said: “The SMMT and NFDA have stated that it is in the customer’s best interests to take their car to a franchised dealer for its MoT test.
“However all MoT tests, regardless of where they are taken are strictly regulated by VOSA and this fact needs to be clear to consumers.
“The IGA believe that franchised dealers must be more transparent about MoTs. In particular, by not confusing consumers and trying to create an impression that their MoT is somehow superior to one carried out in an independent garage.”
James Richards - 22/08/2013 17:22
The NFDA also made a similar statement earlier this year stating that consumers could only obtain a proper service for their vehicle if their took it to a franchised dealer. Is this another case of trying to win back customers into the franchised sector by scaremongering or have the NFDA really lost the plot about legislation for choice of repair or in this case VOSA approved test stations. Most dealers don't have MOT facilities so they would have to outsource MOT's to the same MOT stations that any consumer could choice themselves in some cases, an independent garage. Well done IGA, about time someone spoke up for the independent sector and consumer choice as the NFDA obviously don't know about it. The NFDA is looking through the wrong end of the telescope as its cost and customer satisfaction that retains customers back not putting out unfair information in order to win back customers that dealers lost when times were good and prices were high. Kind regards