5500 Garages Intend to Join New Code of Practice

The new Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair was launched by Motor Codes Limited to the trade at the Office of Fair Trading in London on 29 May. Over 5,500 garages have reportedly signalled their intent to subscribe via a pre-launch commitment programme. Any UK garage can sign up to the voluntary code, which is currently progressing through the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS). To comply with the code, a business will need to commit to meet the requirements for completing service and repair work whilst engaging with their customers.

The announcement follows threats of a so-called “super complaint” from consumer agencies, due to variable and sometimes poor service in the garage trade. The code aims to promote and safeguard the interests of consumers by helping them identify subscribing garages, and by “providing an easily accessible and robust dispute resolution mechanism when required.”

A code subscriber commits to:

• honest and fair services
• open and transparent pricing
• complete work as agreed
• invoices that match quoted prices
• competent and conscientious staff
• a straightforward, swift complaints procedure

The code itself will:

• provide a free consumer advice line
• provide free conciliation and low cost, legally binding arbitration
• offer consumers more rights than required by law

“Industry response to the Code has been extremely encouraging, with thousands of outlets already committed to signing up prior to launch,” said Chris Mason, Motor Codes Director. “The website will go live on 26 May and will act as the gateway to the industry signing up to deliver accountable business. We expect many more garages to log-on to the website and subscribe over the next few months before we launch to consumers in the summer.”

Joining Chris Mason at the launch were Alec Murray, chairman of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF), Sue Robinson, director of the RMI National Franchised Dealer Association and Paul Everitt, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).