Car Repairs - UK Repairer Companies

The Car Repairers Directory aims to highlight national and local car repair networks. Included within each UK car repair company listing are details of garage services offered and other useful information.

Car Repairers Guide

If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident the first thing to do is report the accident to your car insurance company and especially the police if injuries have been suffered. If another party was involved ensure you collect their contact and car insurance company details, so that your insurer can contact them to organise the claim.

If your car has been damaged as a result of an accident you will need to send it to a garage for repair. Depending on the company and the car insurance policy cover you took out, your insurer will send your car to a repairer approved by the insurer. Large insurance companies tend to build large networks of approved car repairers across the country so that their customers do not have to travel far to get their vehicle fixed.

An approved repairer will provide the quickest way to get your car back on the road after an accident. Insurance companies also negotiate contracts with approved car repairers to ensure their customers receive the highest quality of service at low prices.

If you don't want to use an insurer approved car repairer, you can use your own garage. If you decide to use your own garage be prepared to provide repair estimates. Insurance companies will inspect the car themselves before the repairs are authorised or not, dependent on the price. If you use your own garage you should expect the repair to take longer than if you were to use an approved car repairer, who can normally start the work straight away.

If you decide to use a garage not approved by your insurer it is vital that you contact your insurance company for advice. If you are supplied with a replacement hire car you may not automatically be covered under your policy.

Car Repairers

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT), the UK's competition watchdog, recently announced it was to launch an investigation into the car repair industry in an attempt to stamp out rogue traders and poor workmanship. The investigation comes after a rise in the number of complaints from disgruntled customers who feel they have had to pay too much to have their cars repaired.

£8.9billion a year is spent on servicing cars each year and a staggering 27,381 complaints about the standards and cost of car repairs have been received in the last 12 months.

The Office of Fair Trading is also worried that a lot of the insurance work done on vehicles is not needed and owners are overpaying for routine car repairs.

Tips for consumers who should consider the following:
1. Go to a recommended garage.
2. Read car manual for the standard safety check list.
3. Give a clear description of the work to be carried out.
4. Ask for a quote in writing before agreeing to the work.
5. Ask to be consulted before any additional repair work not originally agreed is carried out.
6. Ask for a detailed invoice.
7. Ask for a timescale for the work to be completed.
8. Ask how the garage will want to be paid and when they will expect payment.
9. Leave your contact details.

Also, consider garages who belong to the Retail Motor Industry Federation. One of the aims of the organisation is to raise standards throughout the industry through quality control procedures and training.