Our Services 

Shiplake Motors – Terms & Conditions of Business

Effective from: 12 January 2018

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These Terms of Service govern all services provided by Shiplake Motors, located at Northfield Road, Shiplake, RG9 3PA. By booking a service, MOT, or repair, or by leaving your vehicle on our premises you agree to these terms.

 

Estimates & Quotes

• Estimates are provided in good faith based on initial inspection and are not binding.

• Should additional faults be discovered, we will seek your approval before continuing.

• All quotes are valid for 30 days unless otherwise stated.

 

Bookings & Cancellations

• Bookings must be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours’ notice.

• Missed appointments may incur a charge of £30.00.

• We reserve the right to reschedule any appointment due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

Work Authorisation

• By bringing your vehicle to Shiplake Motors, you authorise us to inspect, diagnose, or carry out agreed services.

• Verbal, written, or digital communication (email, text) confirming work constitutes binding authorisation.

• Vehicles may be photographed before and after service for protection and quality control.

 

Parts & Labour

• We use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or equivalent quality parts unless otherwise agreed.

• Labour is charged at £60 per hour, plus VAT where applicable (at present time).

• All parts remain the property of Shiplake Motors until paid for in full.

 

Customer-Supplied Parts

• Customer-supplied parts are fitted entirely at the customer’s risk.

• We do not provide a warranty or accept liability for such parts.

• Fitting charges still apply.

 

Warranties

• We provide a 12-month or 10,000-mile warranty (whichever occurs first) on labour and parts we supply.

• This warranty excludes:

  • Normal wear-and-tear components,

  • Customer-supplied parts,

  • Misuse, neglect, or accident-related issues,

  • Repairs/modifications by third parties post-service.

 

Payment Terms

• Full payment is required before vehicle release.

• Accepted payment methods: cash, debit/credit card, or bank transfer.

• Overdue payments may incur interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, plus compensation per the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

 

MOT Services

• MOT testing is carried out strictly by appointment only.

• MOT charges are in line with standard DVSA rates applicable at the time of booking.

• If your vehicle fails its MOT, we will advise you of required repairs and provide a quote for approval.

• A partial re-test may be free or reduced, depending on DVSA rules and timescales.

 

Vehicle Storage & Abandoned Vehicles

Vehicle Storage

Storage charges apply to:

• Vehicles not undergoing active repair,

• Vehicles left without repair authorisation,

• Vehicles awaiting collection after work is completed.

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Customers may be given a 7 days grace period once a problem has been diagnosed​

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Storage Rates (weekends and bank holidays apply):

Daily Rate

• First 7 days - £10/day

• Days 7–31 - £15/day

• Beyond Days 31 - £20/day

• All + VAT​

• Charges commence seven (7) days after the repair is completed or after diagnosis and/or a quote is declined.

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Abandoned Vehicles

A vehicle is considered abandoned if:

• It remains uncollected within 7 days

In such cases:

• We will notify the owner / registered keeper/customer in writing, at the address we have on file.

• Under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977, we reserve the right to dispose of the vehicle.

• Disposal may include sale, auction, scrappage, or salvage.

Financial Impact:

• Disposal costs are chargeable to the owner / registered keeper / customer 

• Revenue from vehicle sale will be applied to storage and/or disposal charges.

• Any surplus may be refunded to the owner / registered keeper / customer.

• If sale proceeds do not cover the storage charges, the outstanding balance is the owner / registered keeper / customer responsibility.

 

Delivery and Collection

• Delivery or collection of non-running vehicles is charged at £160 within a radius of seven (7) miles from our premises, running vehicles are charged at £80.

• Weekend and/or longer distances will incur an additional charge, quoted at the time of callout / booking.

• This service is by prior arrangement only and subject to availability.

 

Vehicle Recovery

• Vehicle recovery is available during working hours:
  Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

• Recovery charges start at £160, which covers up to seven (7) miles.

• Additional mileage is charged at £4.50 per mile.

• Recovery must be pre-booked and confirmed before dispatch.

 

Insurance, Road Testing & Vehicle Security

• Vehicles may be test-driven by insured staff to diagnose or confirm repairs.

• While our premises are secure, we are not responsible for:

  • Personal items left inside the vehicle,

  • Damage or loss caused by fire, theft, vandalism, or adverse weather.

 

Customer Responsibilities

Customers are responsible for:

• Removing personal belongings from the vehicle,

• Providing accurate and current contact details,

• Collecting the vehicle promptly after work is completed.

Failure to collect in a timely manner will incur storage charges (see Section 10).

 

Liability

We take reasonable care when handling your vehicle. However, we are not liable for:

• Indirect losses (e.g., missed appointments, lost earnings),

• Pre-existing faults,

• Modifications not disclosed prior to service.

 

Complaints & Dispute Resolution

If you have a concern:

• Please contact the garage manager at by email.

• We aim to resolve complaints promptly and professionally.

• If a resolution is not reached, you may contact:

  • The Motor Ombudsman, or

  • Citizens Advice.

 

Data Protection

• We process your personal data in accordance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

• Your data will never be sold or shared without your permission, except where required by law.

 

Force Majeure

• We are not responsible for delays caused by circumstances beyond our control, including natural disasters, pandemics, labour disputes, or supply chain issues.

 

Governing Law

• These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be settled in the courts of England and Wales.

 

Acceptance of Terms

• By using our services or leaving your vehicle with Shiplake Motors, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms of Service.