Service And Repair Code On-Line Subscription Process Open

Any garage wishing to subscribe to the new Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair, recently launched by Motor Codes Limited, can do so right now via the user-friendly website http://service.motorindustrycodes.co.uk

To allow businesses plenty of time to prepare for the consumer launch planned for August, the straightforward on-line process describes the code and enables garages to subscribe easily and instantly. Over 5,500 garages had already signalled their intent to subscribe when the code was launched to the trade at the Office of Fair Trading in May and now that the web-based system is live, many more will be encouraged to sign up.

“We are extremely pleased with the commitment made by thousands of garages so far and have been able to help many of them get things in place prior to the full launch later this summer,” said Chris Mason, Motor Codes Director. “By logging on and subscribing now, individual garages will benefit by having time to familiarise themselves fully with the code workings and also add to the considerable support of this industry-wide initiative.”

When businesses sign up, they will gain access to the dedicated subscriber area of the code web site, which gives users all the information they need to prepare for when it is fully launched to consumers. By taking these early steps, customers coming through the doors of an outlet subscribing to the code will be able to recognise that they are in the hands of a responsible business which will commit to:

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

The code aims to promote and safeguard the interests of consumers by helping them identify subscribing garages and providing an easily accessible and robust dispute resolution mechanism when required.
The code itself will provide a free consumer advice line, provide free conciliation and low cost, legally binding arbitration as well as offering consumers more rights than required by law

To supplement awareness, a series of advertisements is scheduled to run in selected trade titles and other industry publications throughout the summer.