Who we are

The National Conciliation Service (NCS) is the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme for the retail motor industry. The NCS deals with disputes between a consumer and a trader (business) that has not been resolved to the consumers satisfaction, or has reached a deadlock

ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) is a means of settling disputes without resorting to the courts. Settling disputes using ADR is usually a free or low cost way of resolving a dispute between a consumer and a trader and is normally faster and cheaper for both consumers and traders than the civil courts

In July 2015 the NCS was accredited by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) as a provider of ADR under The Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015, and in compliance with EU Directive (2013/11/EU) regarding Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumers.

The NCS:

  • is an independent service
  • is free for consumers to use
  • offers conciliation, mediation and arbitration or, exceptionally, adjudication
  • accepts complaints between UK residents and subscribers to the NCS

The NCS handles a wide range of cases, including:

  • service and repairs contracts of vehicles
  • sale contracts of vehicles
  • used cars
  • lost deposits

Our current team of case handlers have more than 30 years’ experience in resolving disputes between the motor trade and its customers.

The NCS is a company limited by guarantee and is a non-profit making organisation.

The trade associations that subscribe to the National Conciliation Service are:

  • Conciliation and arbitration

    • Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators (AVRO)
    • Cherished Numbers Dealers Association
    • Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Repair Alliance (HEVRA)
    • Independent Garage Association (IGA)
    • Kindertons Accident Management Ltd
    • Garage Equipment Association
    • Liquid Gas
    • Motorcycle Industry Association
    • National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA)
    • National Body Repair Association (NBRA)
    • National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA)
    • National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA)
    • National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA)
    • Petrol Retailers Association
    • Royal Automobile Club (RAC)
    • The Automobile Association (AA)
    • The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI)
    • Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA)

    Arbitration only


    Conciliation and adjudication

Useful Documents: 

© National Conciliation Service 2025 | Registered office: 201 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5AB