Swindon motor dealer pledges to curb customer anxiety in face of cost of living crisis

Swindon motor dealer Pebley Beach has pledged to support customers anxious about repair and maintenance bills in the face of the cost of living crisis.

The Hyundai and Suzuki dealership, which services and maintains all makes and models of cars, issued a three point pledge as soaring inflation begins to hit households.

The pledge includes:

• Free advice and no unnecessary charges
• Fix now, pay later for customers struggling to meet the cost of keeping their vehicle on the road
• Discounts for NHS workers

Managing director Dominic Threlfall said: "For the majority of us, running a car is a necessity – but keeping a car on the road can be expensive. 

"For more than 30 years we've been building a reputation as one of Swindon's most trusted businesses – in any field. Many customers have remained loyal to the firm for decades.

"We have a 4.9 / 5 rating on Facebook, a 4.8 / 5 rating on Google, and 93 per cent of customers rated us Excellent on Trustpilot.

"We were the first and only Swindon garage accredited by the Foxy Ladies Drivers Club, which assures excellent customer service for female customers, and every driver – regardless of age or gender – is guaranteed the same excellent level of customer service."

One way the family-owned firm offers peace of mind is a promise to delay non-urgent repairs. "If a part is starting to show signs of wear, but will give the customer a thousand or so miles of safe motoring, we won't jump in to repair or replace it if it can be fixed at a later date.

"We're also happy to spread the cost of serving and repairs over four months, depending on status.

"And we've renewed our pledge to keep key workers on the road, with discounts for NHS workers."

The pledge came as another Swindon-based motor dealer, Dick Lovett, published the results of a survey which suggested motorists were suffering from "auto anxiety" over the costs of running a car.

The survey found that: 

• 41 per cent of people avoided going to garages when they couldn't afford repairs
• One in three said they found garages intimidating
• Seventeen per cent delayed getting an MOT or service because of associated anxiety
• 44 per cent of women feel anxious visiting garages

Dom added: "While it's tempting to put off repairs, a niggling noise under the bonnet can quickly turn into something far more expensive – or even dangerous. My advice would always be to get a problem checked out before it becomes serious.

"We promise free advice, no unnecessary fixes, and franchise levels of customer service at local garage prices."