One in every five workshops inspected is illegal, according to the Spanish Confederation of Automobile and Related Repair Workshops (CETRAA). Although the services in these establishments are usually cheaper, they also entail poorer quality, which implies unfavorable results for users.
CETRAA highlights that the intrusion of clandestine workshops has negative consequences for both road safety, the environment, industrial safety and the Spanish economy. It may seem that they are cheaper by not applying VAT. But, in the long run, they are more expensive, since their staff does not have adequate training. Neither the facilities nor the tools they use are optimal. Therefore, "it is common for legally established workshops to have to solve the problems caused by poor repair," as the Confederation regrets.
Therefore, to ensure safe and effective repair or maintenance on your vehicle, it is best to always go to a legal, authorized workshop. In this regard, the Civil Guard offers five indicators that will be helpful when recognizing a clandestine workshop.
The online Complaint Room of the Spanish Confederation of Automobile and Related Repair Workshops registers more than 1,000 complaints of illegal workshops each year. With the aim of putting an end to intrusion in this profession, they will collaborate with the Nature Protection Service of the Civil Guard (Seprona), promptly reporting on the complaints they register in this regard.
It should be noted that illegal workshops also result in a limitation of consumer rights, due to the guarantee of repair. And they also lack prevention of occupational risks for staff. On the other hand, they pose a risk in terms of road safety, since their repairs, materials and spare parts are usually not of the necessary quality.
