The director shall on his or her own initiative or in response to complaints, investigate on a continuous basis and gather evidence of violations of this chapter and of any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, by any automotive repair dealer or automotive technician, whether registered or not, and by any employee, partner, officer, or member of any automotive repair dealer. The director shall establish procedures for accepting complaints from the public against any dealer or automotive technician. The director may suggest measures that, in the director’s judgment, would compensate for any damages suffered as a result of an alleged violation. If the dealer accepts the suggestions and performs accordingly, such fact shall be given due consideration in any subsequent disciplinary proceeding.