Robert Halfon MP Says Garages Should Hold Kitemark Standard
Robert Halfon, the MP for Harlow, has Tabled a Motion in Parliament following a radio morning (on Wednesday, 30 June) with consumer motoring champion Quentin Willson debating poor garage servicing.
The news follows survey evidence showing that over half of the British population who have had a car serviced in a garage before are not totally confident that the work they have paid for has been carried out. That’s according to new YouGov research recently commissioned by BSI Kitemark, which throws light on just how wary people have become of garages and what work is actually being done to their cars.
Halfon commented: “The Government needs to review protection for motorists when they are visiting a garage, with over half of the population not confident in the work that garages have carried out. We need to ensure they know what is being done on their vehicle and they are presented with a clear and understandable service – every time. I am recommending that the Kitemark scheme, operated by BSI, an independent Royal Charter body, is the standard that garages adopt. I have put forward this suggestion and I will also be actively lobbying to ensure that garages service cars to the highest standards therefore meeting the BSI Kitemark standards.”
To obtain the Kitemark garages must address key areas: customer service, customer satisfaction, customer facilities – such as waiting areas, staff competencies – the quality of workmanship in the garage, their ability to use the equipment available, technical inspection and importantly fair and transparent billing. All these elements are then assessed by independent BSI inspectors and must meet stringent benchmarks if the valuable Kitemark is to be awarded by BSI.
Quentin Willson, the UK consumer motoring champion commented: “Victims of dodgy garages can be eradicated if motorists would only use the BSI Kitemark certified garages. The Kitemark scheme has the most rigorous assessments and insists upon annual reassessment to make sure that the same quality and service is being delivered year after year.
“A garage that has the Kitemark has the ability to deliver a service which the consumer expects, therefore mitigating the risk of the unknown. Consumers take their car to the garage and fully expect that the garage knows what has to be done and that it will be done correctly and safely. The purpose of a Kitemark inspection is that the garage can demonstrate that they have been independently assessed in their capability to do, the work and those they have the right skills and knowledge.”
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