How to Complain to The Motor Ombudsman
The Motor Ombudsman looks at disputes with garages, car dealers, warranty providers and manufacturers signed up to its codes of practice, once the business has had 8 weeks to put things right. It is free. Write your complaint to the business, and we print it and post it for you by Royal Mail.
Not complained to the business yet? Send your complaint by Royal Mail Tracked 24, from £8.99, so you can prove the date it arrived.
From £2.49 including printing and postage
- No printer or Post Office trip
- See the finished letter before you pay
- Order by 2.30pm for same-day posting
Quick Answer
- Complain first to
- The business
- The business has
- 8 weeks
- Cost
- Free
- Raise a dispute
- Online
- Phone
- 0345 241 3008
Check the business is signed up to its codes of practice using The Motor Ombudsman's Business Finder.
Where to Send It
Complain to the garage, dealer or warranty provider first, at the address on its paperwork or its website. If it does not sort it out, raise a dispute with The Motor Ombudsman online.
The garage, dealer or warranty provider
Your complaint to the business, which comes first.
The address on its paperworkor its websiteExplain the problem and say how you want it put right, ideally in writing.
Write your complaint letterThe Motor Ombudsman
Posting evidence for a dispute you have already raised.
The Motor Ombudsman71 Great Peter StreetLondonSW1P 2BNDisputes are raised online. Do not post original documents, as it scans post and destroys the paper copies after 3 months. If you cannot use its website, write to it or call to ask for a paper form.
Car finance or insurance
If your complaint is about car finance or car insurance.
Financial Ombudsman ServiceThe Motor Ombudsman does not cover car finance or car insurance. These usually go to the Financial Ombudsman.
Read the Financial Ombudsman guideChecked against The Motor Ombudsman website on 18 and 19 October 2026.
Why Send It With PostRight
Proof It Arrived
Choose Tracked 24 and you can see when your letter was delivered, with a photo on delivery. Useful when a deadline or reply time counts from the day it arrives.
No Printer, Envelope or Stamp
Type your letter or upload a PDF on any device. We print it, put it in the envelope and post it.
Posted Today
Order by 2.30pm on a working day and we post it the same day by Royal Mail.
How It Works
- 1Complain to the businessWrite to the garage, dealer or warranty provider, say what went wrong and how you want it put right, and keep a copy.
- 2We print it and post itOrder by 2.30pm on a working day and we post it the same day by Royal Mail. A tracked service shows when it arrived, which helps you count the reply time.
- 3Go to The Motor OmbudsmanIf the business does not sort it out within 8 weeks, raise a dispute with The Motor Ombudsman online.
Complain to the Business First
Contact the business, explain why you are unhappy and say how you want it put right. It has 8 weeks to give its final answer. You can raise a dispute after 8 weeks, or sooner if you get a final answer you are unhappy with.
Time Limits
The Motor Ombudsman may decline a case if more than 12 months have passed since you complained to the business or got its final response, or if more than 6 years have passed since the problem.
What It Covers
It covers businesses signed up to its codes of practice for new cars, service and repair, vehicle sales and vehicle warranty products. It does not cover car finance, car insurance or hire car complaints, or businesses that are not signed up.
Binding Decisions
If you accept the final decision, it becomes legally binding on you and the business, and you may lose the right to take your complaint elsewhere. You can withdraw at any stage.
Other Ombudsman Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
71 Great Peter Street, London, SW1P 2BN. It uses this address for evidence. Disputes are raised online.
Send your complaint to the business today.
Write or upload your letter, choose your service at checkout, and we print it and post it by Royal Mail.
Write Your Letter