Expert Tips On Your Car Trouble

Our industry brains have the answers on disputes with dealers, rejecting cars and vehicle finance

- Martin Saarinen

REGULAR readers will have noticed that, since last month, Auto Express has been focusing on more general issues affecting drivers every day, rather than individual cases in our Watchdog page.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve looked at how a drop in the number of traffic police has hit driving standards, and carried out a comprehensive review of council parking charges across the UK.

But many of you continue to have issues with new and used cars, plus dealers. Although we’re no longer able to take on individual cases to investigate such problems, our experts have compiled some tips on what to do if you’re having trouble with your car or dealer. Also note the contacts at the bottom of the page.

INDUSTRY ADJUDICATOR 

Bill Fennell Chief Ombudsman and MD, The Motor Ombudsman www.themotorombudsman.org

Dealer disputes

LAST year the Motor Ombudsman had more than 10,800 contacts over vehicle servicing – this number represents a quarter of all customer enquiries made to the industry’s self-regulatory body.

Yet Chief Ombudsman Bill Fennell says 10 per cent of these could have instantly been avoided had customers communicated with their dealer. This is the first bit of advice; be clear with your showroom or garage about the issue and what can be done about it.