Drivers still question vehicle repair safety

Press release - 23rd October 2012

Nearly one third of consumers fear for the safety of their vehicle following repair work

UK consumers are wary about the standard of vehicle repairs, according to new research commissioned by BSI. The business standards company found that almost a third (33 per cent) of vehicle owners worry about the safety of their vehicle when it is returned after bodyshop repair work.

Interestingly, younger drivers are particularly apprehensive, with two in five concerned for the safety of their vehicle when they get it back on the road.

Low levels of consumer confidence were underlined by a staggering 94 per cent of respondents stating they would support unannounced inspections to make sure bodyshop standards remain habitually high.

The findings from the survey of 1,200 UK vehicle owners also revealed that over a third of drivers are unaware they have the right to choose the bodyshop used by their insurance company following an accident.  While for some this choice comes at a premium, the ability to select a bodyshop of their choice would no doubt go some way towards improving consumer perceptions of the standards of vehicle repairs.

Over the past five years BSI has been working with industry experts to address poor consumer confidence and improve road safety for the general public. PAS 125, an automotive standard governing vehicle damage repair processes of motor vehicles, is the result - developed at the request of industry and now widely recognised as the industry benchmark for the safe repair of accident damaged vehicles.

In response, in 2007, BSI launched the Kitemark for Vehicle Damage Repair based on PAS 125, to ensure the consistent high quality of repair processes and the competency of people, equipment and materials and to reassure car owners. These measures are undisputedly building consumer trust in bodyshops, reinforced by over 80 per cent of survey respondents saying they would be more comfortable using a garage that was quality assured with a BSI Kitemark for Vehicle Damage Repair. 

Ian Kitchin, Global Commercial Director at BSI explains: “Great progress has been made over the last five years to improve standards within the bodyshops, yet our research clearly shows that challenges remain regarding consumer confidence. Despite the safety precautions and high standards of many bodyshops, consumers remain unaware of the safety measures and standards they actually have in place.

BSI’s Kitemark for Vehicle Damage Repair is a powerful quality mark and is highly instrumental in reassuring consumers that bodyshops are reputable, provide high quality service and will ensure the safety of a vehicle following an accident. When consumer confidence is at such a low ebb, bodyshops should work with industry bodies such as BSI to help rebuild trust in the automotive sector.”