MG Rover has introduced a new guarantee programme to solve its recent parts supply problems – but only for UK buyers of its cars purchased in calendar year 2003.

The dealer or authorised repairer will quote a completion time for a service, and if this deadline is not met due to the late arrival of parts, then a special programme named Parts Pledge will be invoked and courtesy car costs funded until three days after the parts are delivered.

John Parkinson, managing director of MG Rover sister company XPart Ltd, says: "We, like a lot of other manufacturers, experienced parts shortages in 2002. This led to a major review of the parts process and where appropriate fundamental changes were made. Parts availability for new MG and Rover cars has now reached 95 per cent and will continue to improve. This gives us the confidence to operate such a groundbreaking initiative.

"A key business objective is to offer our customers an exceptional aftersales service. This programme will provide customers with added confidence.”