Rebranded SMTA better able to meet needs of members

The Scottish Motor Trade Association has existed to “encourage, promote and protect” the commercial interests of its members since 1903.

Recently rebranded with a fresher and updated identity, SMTA is repositioning its membership offering to better meet the needs of modern automotive businesses.

Sandy Burgess, chief executive of the SMTA said: “With the passing of the years, our membership profile has changed from one that originally included lots of small local manufacturers and a number of rural retailers and repairers, to one whereby now the numbers have completely reversed, with repairers outnumbering retailers and the Scotland-based manufacturers have all now gone.

“Our membership still covers the whole of Scotland and the isles, selling and repairing all makes and models of motor vehicles.

“In building their businesses, our members seek to gain trust and build relationships with their customers.

“They must provide clear pricing and complete the repair or service to the instructions and, more importantly, the complete satisfaction of the customer.”

But Mr Burgess says that the vehicle buyer also has a very important part to play in achieving a satisfactory outcome.

He feels that consumers must ensure that all conditions of the sale of a vehicle must be agreed in writing so that both parties know and agree what is to be done.

“Too often we hear of consumers not being happy because the salesperson said they would carry out some work and it fails to be done,” he said.

“In these situations, it becomes one person’s word against another and an impasse is reached.

“Get everything agreed in writing and then there can be no doubt as to what should happen. Consumers should ensure that all work on their car is authorised by them — that way there can be no danger of overcharging and each party will be clear about what is to be done and how much it will cost.”

The new Consumers Rights Act, which was introduced on October 1, has been welcomed by Mr Burgess.

“This new act is not something to be feared, indeed it actually brings an opportunity to tighten up the understanding of consumers’ rights by both sides of the transaction,” he said.

Our members have welcomed the act and we recently held a workshop to help them gain a full understanding of the detail within it.

Armed with access to resources such as the workshop, a business with membership of the Scottish Motor Trade Association is best positioned to service the automotive public needs, applying its skills and knowledge to assist the purchase, repair or service of vehicles, providing the safeguard of its free conciliation service should some unfortunate situation arise. Local service is important, local Scottish support is critical, so check out your chosen garage and make sure that it is a member of the SMTA.

Sandy Burgess, chief executive of the SMTA