Car Parts and Accessories

Shop around for the best service

During the warranty period a new car has to be taken to a franchise dealer for servicing and repairs. Thereafter you can shop around for the best service at the best price.

Taking your car in for Auto service or Auto repair

When taking your car for repairs or servicing give clear and concise repair instructions, in writing, on the job card, including the odometer reading. Don’t be vague. Instructions such as ‘check and repair for a long trip’ or ‘check and repair fault‘ can involve you in considerable and unexpected expense. If you believe there may be a serious fault, have a competent friend or the AA’s Technical Department diagnose the faults before you take your car to the garage. At worst, you should instruct the repairer to diagnose the fault and then contact you for authority to carry out the repair. Keep notes of the conversation on file for future reference.

Once the fault has been diagnosed, your repair instruction can be precise, adding the further instruction that no other work is to be carried out without your prior consent being obtained. Always record a telephone number on the job card at which you can be contacted.

Insist on seeing any parts that have been replaced and, in the event of uncertainty or dispute, have a competent friend or the AA’s technical personnel examine the parts concerned to confirm whether or not they are still serviceable. If they are, and you did not instruct that they be renewed, you should insist on having the new parts removed and the old ones replaced, with a refund on the cost of new components plus the labour charge for fitting them. You must act promptly before the new components begin to wear.

When servicing a new car—and in the absence of specific instructions to the contrary—the repairer is left to use his discretion on which components to replace. You should acquaint yourself with the work which is involved in the specific service and which components are likely to be changed. If you believe that any of these are still in satisfactory working condition—and are capable of working until the next service—instruct that they are not to be changed.

The motorist is entitled to expect from the garage:

Efficient repair work first time.

Reasonable adherence to the repair quotation.

Friendly and competent reception service.

The car returned clean with any valuables you may have left in it.

Reasonable adherence to the promised time and date of completion.

Compliance with instructions.

The courtesy of being telephoned if further work, other than that quoted for, is necessary.

The garage owner, on the other hand, is entitled to expect from you:

Clear and concise instructions.

The vehicle’s year model to help when ordering spares.

Arrangements for payment before the repair is undertaken.

Prompt collection of the car once repairs have been completed.

That items of value will not be left in your car.

Sufficient time to undertake repairs.

To be contacted immediately with any complaint.

A telephone number where you can be contacted during business hours.

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