The RAC Service Workshop Quality Programme, introduced in March 2005, was Set up to provide independent assessment of customer vehicle repair and servicing quality through individual assessments and unannounced workshop audits.. The programme carries out up to 10,000 Ford vehicle service inspections every year – equivalent to around 30 dealer visits each day.

These checks are in addition to Ford’s existing quality check programme and ensure that the dealer has carried out all requested work in full and to the required standard.

The Ford dealer network is the only group in the UK to partner with the RAC on these workshop audits, which will pass 100,000 individual inspections by January 2016.

RAC added that the quality score of technicians has improved by 50% during the lifespan of the programme and in cases where RAC engineers have not reported a single fault throughout a calendar year workshops receive a certificate of recognition.

Adrian McCarthy, RAC roadside operations manager, said: “The quality programme is constantly evolving to meet the needs of Ford's dealers. Ensuring that customers have total confidence in the dealer network is a priority for us, and by helping to maintain the strict workshop quality standards set by Ford, customers should feel confident taking their vehicle to a Ford Authorised Repairer year after year, far beyond the warranty period."