Ford Specialists Top Search

Owners of high end vehicle marques are increasingly turning to independent specialist garages for care and servicing, according to the UK-wide Good Garage Scheme. According to our research based on searches carried out by motorists since the start of the year, we can now reveal the top ten marques that searched on the website:

1. Ford
2. BMW
3. Volkswagen
4. Vauxhall
5. Renault
6. Mercedes
7. Audi
8. Land Rover
9. Honda
10. Peugeot

Prestige models BMW, Mercedes and Audi all make the top ten list of car manufacturer searches carried out by visitors to the Good Garage Scheme website, www.goodgaragescheme.com and Ford remains at the top of the list for a second year running.

Motorists visiting the website can find their nearest Good Garage Scheme member and refine their searches to identify those who have expertise in specific makes of vehicle. Over a recent three month period, a total of 49 different marques were searched.

Anndi Sheppard, Good Garage Scheme marketing manager, said: “Our research shows that a typical visitor to the Good Garage Scheme website will look for a local garage that services their particular make of car. Good Garage Scheme members specialise in custom model vehicles as well as servicing the more common marques. Our survey shows that motorists are recognising the specialist care and attention our members can dedicate to cars of all models.
“The Good Garage Scheme website provides motorists with the ideal tool to find their nearest independent garages quickly and efficiently. This is enhanced by being able to refine searches to find expertise in specific makes and models.”

Good Garage Scheme member garages can be found from Lands End to John O’Groats. Motorists can find their nearest garage anywhere in the UK via a link to the Good Garage Scheme’s home page www.goodgaragescheme.com or via the free Good Garage Scheme App, available for both android and iPhones.

Your New Car Can Still be Serviced at an Independent Garage

According to the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), new car registrations in September exceeded expectations and were 8.2% higher than in September 2011.

New car owners may have been given an opportunity to purchase a service plan at the dealership, but the Good Garage Scheme would like to remind motorists that taking their car to an independent for a service will not invalidate the warranty.

Prior to 2003, motorists who took their vehicle for a service or repair at any garage other than a main dealer were at risk of invalidating the vehicle's warranty.

In October 2003, the European Commission Block Exemption Regulation 1400/2002 changed all of that and gave motorists more flexibility. Independent garages were given access to technical information from the manufacturer including diagnostic equipment and software allowing them to service and repair cars.

As a result of the legislation, motorists are free to take their vehicles to any garage for maintenance or service work provided Original Equipment 'Matching Quality' (OEM) parts are used and recorded as such. The garage must also follow the manufacturer's service schedules.

How does Block Exemption Regulation (BER) affect the motorist?

Block Exemption Regulation is good news for the motorist because it allows more choice in the vehicle servicing and repair market leading to lower costs and higher standards without invalidating the vehicle’s warranty.

According to a study of garage servicing prices carried out by Which? in 2011, franchised dealers consistently charged the most and independent garages were 18% cheaper.

Top Marques Searched on Good Garage Scheme website

Research from the Good Garage Scheme can reveal that the most popular marques searched on its website include BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Ford and Renault.

Why not look for a specialist to service or repair your car? 
Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com for more information.