WINTER MOTORING
MOTORISTS URGED TO TICK ALL THE BOXES THIS WINTER, SAYS ‘THE MOTOR OMBUDSMAN’
• Drivers advised to look out for The Motor Ombudsman logo when choosing a garage to get their car ready for winter
• Downloadable winter ticklist introduced on The Motor Ombudsman website to guide motorists through the key points to consider when taking their car to a garage
• The Motor Ombudsman’s online Garage Finder allows consumers to easily check for a business’ accreditation to the Service and Repair Code and for any seasonal garage promotions
AS THE mercury drops, and the days get shorter in the run-up to winter, The Motor Ombudsman, the automotive dispute resolution provider, is urging drivers to look out for its widely-recognised logo at their local independent garage or franchised dealer when getting their car ready for the cold weather. A business displaying the Motor Ombudsman badge on their website and premises, which is centered around a prominent blue tick as a symbol of reassurance, means motorists can have the peace of mind that the retailer is committed to providing the highest level of care and workmanship.
With the end-of-year season traditionally bringing tougher conditions on the road, making sure a vehicle is fully roadworthy, whether for the daily commute or for the holiday getaway, is essential to staying safe. The Motor Ombudsman has therefore introduced an online ticklist that can be downloaded from its website. The handy, one-stop resource guides motorists through key considerations when having work done at a garage including if any quotes and invoices are easy to understand, or whether components such as tyres, lights and wiper blades are all functioning correctly.
Furthermore, the Garage Finder (TheMotorOmbudsman/garage-finder) is another useful tool available to drivers. At the click of a button, it allows consumers to see all garages within a specific area or postcode that are accredited to its Service and Repair Code of Practice, of which there are thousands across the UK.
Motorists can also read the latest customer reviews, find out about the latest winter offers and make a direct booking for any maintenance via a business’ profile page.
Bill Fennell, chief ombudsman and managing director of The Motor Ombudsman, said: ‘All-year round maintenance of a vehicle is critical. However, winter is particularly a time to make sure everything is working as it should and that any repairs are undertaken by a garage that adheres to recommended practices. Therefore, we have put together this useful download on our website where vehicle owners can check in one place that they have the main bases covered when it comes to any seasonal maintenance, as this could ultimately make the difference.’
For the next two weeks, starting today, social media users can enter The Motor Ombudsman’s winter competition on its Facebook (www.facebook.com/TheMotorOmbudsman) and Twitter (@Motor_Ombudsman) pages to be in with the chance of winning a winter car care kit.
To view and download The Motor Ombudsman’s winter ticklist, visit TheMotorOmbudsman.org/winter-ticklist.