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15/05/2003
'Good Garage' code promises a better deal for drivers
Drivers are promised a better deal as trade associations representing 10,000 garages across the UK commit to a new 'Good Garage' code of practice today.
The code will put in place service standards measures in the car servicing industry - which is worth around £9 billion a year - including audit checks and 'mystery shopping'.
Garages were warned last year that they had to do much more after a mystery shopping exercise found low levels of service. It found that 51% of garages missed one or more safety-related defects in cars or items that should have been picked up in a regular servicing.
The survey also revealed that only 5% of garages sampled carried out a thorough service against the manufacturers' schedule and were judged to be 'very good'. Also 86% of garages missed at least one introduced fault and 43% of garages did not provide customers with an accurate quote prior to the service.
Consumer Minister Melanie Johnson said that the introduction of the code would be a "big step forward" in delivering a better deal for drivers.
"This is a golden opportunity for the industry to prove that self-regulation can be effective and make a big difference to consumers," she said.
Businesses that are not members of any trade association will be able to take part in the code. Consumers will have a mechanism to make complaints and access to independent arbitration if a matter isn't resolved with the garage.
(GMcG)
The code will put in place service standards measures in the car servicing industry - which is worth around £9 billion a year - including audit checks and 'mystery shopping'.
Garages were warned last year that they had to do much more after a mystery shopping exercise found low levels of service. It found that 51% of garages missed one or more safety-related defects in cars or items that should have been picked up in a regular servicing.
The survey also revealed that only 5% of garages sampled carried out a thorough service against the manufacturers' schedule and were judged to be 'very good'. Also 86% of garages missed at least one introduced fault and 43% of garages did not provide customers with an accurate quote prior to the service.
Consumer Minister Melanie Johnson said that the introduction of the code would be a "big step forward" in delivering a better deal for drivers.
"This is a golden opportunity for the industry to prove that self-regulation can be effective and make a big difference to consumers," she said.
Businesses that are not members of any trade association will be able to take part in the code. Consumers will have a mechanism to make complaints and access to independent arbitration if a matter isn't resolved with the garage.
(GMcG)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
