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Overview

The Independent Motor Dealers Association (IMDA) is working with The Motor Ombudsman as their preferred ADR provider.

As part of your IMDA membership, The Independent Motor Dealers Association is able to offer you Motor Ombudsman accreditation at an exclusive discount of 20% off our standard accreditation fee when paying by Direct Debit on new accreditations.

If you are already accredited to The Motor Ombudsman and aren't already on Direct Debit, you can benefit from the recurring 10% discount by signing up to Direct Debit at your next renewal.

What does accreditation mean for businesses?

The Motor Ombudsman is the first and only ombudsman dedicated to the automotive sector. Thousands of businesses across the UK have gained accreditation to one of our Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)-approved Codes of Practice covering car sales, servicing and repairs, new car warranties and extended warranties. They offer peace of mind and a revenue opportunity for accredited businesses.

Knowing that you adhere to our CTSI-approved codes of practice gives customers confidence in you as a trusted, responsible business: a business that puts them first, always.

Accreditation can improve the revenue and reputation of your business.

Accredited businesses have access to a range of benefits, from access to our dispute resolution and ombudsman service, added credibility with full use of the trusted Motor Ombudsman and CTSI-approved Code logo and access to training. Thousands of customers use our website to find a garage they can rely on meaning more potential business direct to you.

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Pre-Requirements

To be accredited to The Motor Ombudsman you must meet certain criteria which will be identified throughout your application as well as through our self-assessment and physical assessment regime.

Before proceeding please confirm you meet the minimum criteria.

• You must be a business operating in the automotive sector.

• You must be a registered company.

• You must be in the UK or Channel Islands.

• You must be operating from business premises which meet minimum standards.

• You must be willing to signpost customers to our services.

• You must complete an online self-assessment questionnaire within thirty days of joining.

Please confirm you meet the minimum criteria to continue

WARNING: If you do not meet the minimum criteria to continue your application might be refused.

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Benefits of Joining

Approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), our codes of practice covering car sales, servicing and repairs, new car warranties and extended warranties offer clear-cut customer service expectations for car owners and a revenue opportunity for accredited businesses.

As a business accredited to The Motor Ombudsman you’ll benefit from…

1. Exclusive use of The Motor Ombudsman and CTSI-approved Code logo

You’ll be able to download a free CTSI marketing pack and you’ll be able to display The Motor Ombudsman and CTSI-approved code logo on your premises, website, paperwork, and marketing communications – giving consumers confidence that you’re committed to a higher standard of service.

2. Your accreditation will be recognised by the DVSA

For MOT testing stations, the DVSA now records whether a vehicle testing station (VTS) is a member of a Chartered Trading Standards Institute-approved Code of Practice during the MOT test centre inspection, which will assist the DVSA in considering your vehicle testing station as low risk, resulting in reduced regulatory checks.

3. Increased exposure and new business leads through your unique profile on our garage finder

You’ll get a free online profile page on The Motor Ombudsman website which you can customise yourself, as well as adding your latest offers and also benefit from increased business as a result of our regional and national PR and advertising campaigns. There are thousands of profile page views per week on our website; that’s tens of thousands of potential customers looking for a local garage to do business with.

4. Valuable feedback and ratings from your customers with the chance for them to win £500 in Lifestyle vouchers

Through our unique online review system you’ll be able to use customer feedback to promote your business and stand out from the crowd. You’ll also be able to show your customer feedback on your own website, giving added credibility and reassurance.

5. Unlimited access to our Information Line and Adjudication Service

Although you’re committed to offering the best service, things can go wrong at times. Our legally trained adjudicators are on hand to take calls from car owners but also to help guide you through the dispute resolution process and offer an impartial perspective on the complaint. Our adjudication service is part of your accreditation and free for consumers, offering fair and reasonable decisions.

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Your Business Details

Business Name

Business Website

Business Address

Business Town

Business County

Business Post Code

Company Number

Number of Staff

Are you independent or franchise business?

How did you hear about us?

Your Contact Details

This is the person who we can contact to review your application for accreditation.

Title

First Name

Last Name

Email

Telephone

Job Title

Your Business Activities

Do you service or repair vehicles?

Statistical Information

Please approximate your average invoice value?

Please approximate the number of job/bookings per calendar year?

Do you sell vehicles?

Statistical Information

Please approximate the average vehicle sale value?

Please approximate the number of vehicles sold per calendar year?

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Your Summary and Accreditation

Thank you for completing our registration form to become an accredited business. Based on the information you have provided us we have shown you the best accreditation to match your business activities.

The Service and Repair Code

We recommend that your business should be signed up to our Code of Practice for Service and Repair.

The Service and Repair Code commits garages to an open, transparent and fair method of business, aiming to maintain consistently high standards across the industry. By subscribing to the Code, a business is demonstrating its commitment to operate as a responsible business and deliver high levels of customer satisfaction.

What the Service and Repair Code Means to You…

· Honest and fair services

· Work completed as agreed

· Competent and conscientious staff

· Open and transparent pricing

· Invoices that match quoted prices

· A straightforward complaints procedure

The Vehicle Sales Code

We recommend that your business should be signed up to our Code of Practice for Vehicle Sales.

The Vehicle Sales Code provides reassurance to motorists during the vehicle purchasing process and aiming to maintain consistently high standards across the industry. By subscribing to the Code, a business is demonstrating its commitment to operate as a responsible business and deliver high levels of customer satisfaction.

What the Vehicle Sales Code Means to You…

· Transparent wording in adverts and pricing

· Vehicle provenance checks when selling a used car

· Test drives

· No pressurising with pushy sales

· Accurate advice on warranty and finance products

· A full vehicle handover with all available historic documentation, service history and valid MOT certificate

The Vehicle Sales & Service and Repair Code

We recommend that your business should be signed up to both our Code of Practice for Vehicle Sales & Service and Repair.

The Vehicle Sales & Service and Repair Code commits garages to both our separate Codes of Practice to ensure their business covers all sides of their operations with customers. By subscribing to the Codes, a business is demonstrating its commitment to operate as a responsible business and deliver high levels of customer satisfaction.