Motoring magazine Auto Express recently published the findings that most owners ignore vehicle manufacturer recalls. It says that UK statistics from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency highlight that less than 48% of recalls involving airbags, fire risks and steering failures since 2012, have actually been carried out.

This has lead the TecAlliance to call on the independent aftermarket to help reverse this trend. Shaun Greasley from TecAlliance said, “These statistics just go to show how difficult it is for the franchised dealer sector to cope with recalls, which opens the door to the independent sector. That said, traditionally it has been very difficult for independents to step in and take advantage of the opportunity, which is where TecAlliance and our RMI technical service data comes to the fore.”

He adds, “Our system provides a recall information option, which offers easy access to this information on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis. This includes what needs to be carried out and the process to accomplish it, as well as how long it should take and the replacement parts that are required. However, what really sets it apart is the service schedule and recall option that allows users of the web-based subscription service, to check in a matter of seconds, the recall status of every vehicle that comes through the workshop.”

Shaun  uses recent Audi recalls as an example; “Should an S6, S7, RS and RS7 manufactured between January 2012 and August 2013 enter the workshop, interrogation of the system will reveal that due to incorrect manufacturing tolerances, the fuel line can become damaged and cause leakage, which requires replacement of the fuel line. Another issue, this time affecting the A4, A5, A6, A7, Q5 and Q7 made in the same period, is a possible reduction of brake performance due to engine oil entering the brake servo via the vacuum feed line, which requires replacement of the vacuum line.”

Shaun says that armed with this information, RMI users can simply check that the recall has been undertaken and, if it has not, inform the customer and put the problem right, which not only reduces their exposure to any potential risk, but endorses the standard of service that their workshop provides.

TecAlliance will be at Automechanika Birmingham on stand 20F100.