Garages - a new code of practice - In England

There is a new code of practice for garages, called the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair.

Garages don't have to sign up to the Code but if they do, they will have to follow minimum standards of service and repair. These include:

• open and transparent pricing
• completing work as agreed
• invoices that match quoted prices
• competent and conscientious staff
• a straightforward, swift complaints procedure.

If you use a garage which has signed up to the code, you will be able to:

• use a free consumer advice line
• make a complaint about the garage and get the use of a free conciliation service or low-cost arbitration service.

If you experience poor service from any garage, you can report this to the Code's supervising body, Motor Codes Ltd. It doesn't matter whether the garage has signed up to the Code or not. Motor Codes Ltd will look into complaints against garages which have signed up to the Code. Penalties can be applied to garages which haven't kept to the Code. Garages which are not members will be asked to sign up to the Code in order to improve their services.

For more information and to search for garages near you which have signed up to the Code, go to the Motor Industry Codes Ltd website at: www.motorindustrycodes.co.uk.