Repairers’ rights explained in pilot project

The legal rights of repairers were highlighted at an event in Chesterfield, attended by more than 100 people.

As part of the Your Car – Your Choice pilot project, repairers were told about their rights under block exemption regulations (BER), as well as their right to service and repair vehicles within the warranty period.

Under BER, any independent garage can service and repair any car within the warranty period providing replacement parts used are of OE-matching quality and are recorded as such. Vehicles must be serviced in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer service schedules.

Vehicle manufacturers also have a duty to honour the vehicle’s warranty when it is serviced outside of the dealer network, and non-OE parts fitted onto a vehicle is an insufficient reason for the warranty to be declared invalid.

Businesses were invited to the event by IAAF distributors including Autosupplies Chesterfield, Bullseye Car Parts and Road & Rally.

IAAF head of membership development, Mike Smallbone, said, ‘The event demonstrated that there is a hunger from independent garages for more information so that they can have the confidence in tackling the misconceptions surrounding this issue. Garages are the first line of defence in promoting this choice and so it’s important that suppliers, motor factors and everyone involved in the supply chain supports this campaign.

‘I would like to say a big thank you to our hosts Bilstein Group and supporting distributors and suppliers that made this event and pilot project happen. It is the perfect platform for us to now launch our consumer campaign to the people of Chesterfield.’

​Major automotive companies have signed up to support the pilot project. These include: Automechanika Birmingham 2019, Bilstein Group, BM Catalysts, Comline, Comma, First Line, Hella, Impression Communications, Kilen, MAHLE Aftermarket UK, National Auto Parts, SMPE, Tetrosyl, TMD Friction, Johnson Controls (Varta), WAIglobal UK and ZF Aftermarket.