Dubai: Motorists will soon be able to choose from the best auto workshops to have their vehicles repaired as the Emirates Standarisation and Metrology Authority (Esma) formulates a new system that will categorise and rate workshops according of their service standards and expertise.

Esma is working on regulations to govern the sector across the country that will set a minimum requirement in terms of skills of mechanics and service standards for a workshop to operate, Abdullah Al Muaini, Esma’s director-general, told Gulf News.

“We will first look at the level of the standards at the workshops to ascertain whether they meet the minimum requirements. If they don’t, then we will give them a grace period to improve their service,” said Al Muaini.

In the next stage, the workshops will be categorised according to the type of service they offer, such as AC repair, tyre service, bodywork, engine work, etc.

“Our aim is to categorise and classify all workshops across the country. We will certify them, we will examine and certify the mechanics who work at these workshops and then rate these units according to the skills possessed by the employees who work in the workshops and the equipment the workshops possess,” he added.

In an important step, all the information about the workshops will be present on a common portal and motorists will be able to access the information to look for the best workshops.

Al Muaini said that the workshops will be linked to auto insurance firms and in case of an accident motorists will be able to see where their vehicles are being repaired and what is the standard of service at a particular workshop.

“Our idea is to offer transparency to the consumers and fair play for all. Consumers should not be in the dark about the standard of the work their vehicles are undergoing, and they should be able to decide where they want the repair work to be done, which is not the case right now,” he added.

He said the regulations and the system will be ready by the end of this year, when they will be sent to the Cabinet for approval.

“Once approved, the system will be implemented in stages, so that the workshops have enough time meet our standards,” he said.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is also carrying out its own study on regulating the auto industry in Dubai.

“We are going ahead with our study and our preparation to have auto workshops regulated. We are aware of Esma’s initiative and we would be happy to coordinate with them on either having a single system for the entire country or linking our system to theirs,” said Ahmad Hashem Behroozian, CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency.

Behroozian admitted that the system will take time to be in place.

“This is a massive industry and the work on hand is comprehensive. We will be dealing with different types of workshops, right from a small shack which is carrying out tyre service to corporate style workshops with multiple facilities,” he added.

He added that regulating this sector is very important as it deals with the maintenance of vehicles which, in turn, impacts the safety on roads.

“It is important the maintenance or repair work that is being carried out is up to the highest standards because it has a direct impact on road safety, while also giving motorists the best value for their money,” he said.

However, he clarified that once the system is in place there won’t be an immediate shut down of workshops that don’t meet standards.

“We will give them enough time. If necessary, we will help them attain the skills and standards required and then we will certify them accordingly. At the end of the day the idea is to let people know the level of standards available at the workshop where they are having their vehicle serviced,” Behroozian said.