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Garages and your rights

How to choose a good garage

Updated 3 min readSources: Citizens Advice, The Motor Ombudsman

Quick answer

Choose a garage that is open about its prices and checks, explains the work in plain language and gives you a written quote. Citizens Advice recommends an approved garage, for example one accredited under The Motor Ombudsman's Service and Repair Code. Agree the price in writing, and ask the garage to get your approval before it does any extra work.

Key facts

Look for
An approved garage, such as one accredited by The Motor Ombudsman
Get in writing
The quote, what it includes, and approval for any extra work
Big job?
Get a second opinion from another garage
If it goes wrong
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you rights
In this article

Start with what you can check

  • Is it accredited? Citizens Advice recommends using an approved garage for servicing, repairs and MOTs, such as one approved under the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair. Approved garages have clear complaints procedures. The Motor Ombudsman's website lets you search for accredited businesses by postcode.
  • Can you reach them? A real address, phone number and opening hours. On CarFixNearMe you can see a garage's services, opening hours and contact details, and call or message it directly.
  • Is the work explained? A good garage tells you what is wrong, why it matters and what it will cost, without jargon.

Questions to ask before you book

  1. What exactly is included in the price? Ask about checks, top-ups, parts and disposal.
  2. Can I have the quote in writing?
  3. Will you ask me before doing any extra work?
  4. How long will it take, and will you tell me if that changes?
  5. What happens if the repair does not fix the problem?

Red flags

  • No written quote, or a price that changes with no explanation.
  • Pressure to approve extra work on the spot, without saying why it is needed.
  • Vague answers about what is included.
  • No clear complaints procedure, and no answer when you ask whether the garage belongs to a code of practice or an ADR scheme.

Get a second opinion on big jobs

For an expensive repair, asking another garage to look is reasonable. It can show what is a fair price and, if you later need to complain, it supports your case. After a failed MOT you can also take the car elsewhere for repairs: see what happens if your car fails its MOT.

If something goes wrong

You have rights. Your rights when a garage repairs your car explains what to do and who to complain to.

Common questions

Is an independent garage as good as a main dealer?

Either can do the work well. For servicing you can choose an authorised dealer or an independent garage, as long as the service follows the manufacturer's schedule and you keep records.

Should I get more than one quote?

For big repairs, yes. Ask each garage for a written quote that lists what is included, and compare like with like.

What does accredited mean?

The garage has signed up to a code of practice, such as The Motor Ombudsman's Service and Repair Code, which commits repairers to an open, transparent and fair way of doing business.

What if I am unhappy after the work is done?

Talk to the garage first, then put your complaint in writing. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you the right to have poor work repeated or the price reduced.

Sources

Facts last checked against these pages on .

General information for drivers in Great Britain, not legal advice. Northern Ireland has different MOT rules. Spotted a mistake? Email hello@carfixnearme.com. See how we write and check our advice.

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