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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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Inaccurate counters on petrol pumps are giving drivers up to 4.4% more fuel than they have paid for, the AA has said. The motoring organisation tested pumps after members were concerned they were not getting enough petrol but it found that all nozzles dispensed at least the right amount with many giving more fuel.
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Garages Take Customers 'For A Ride'
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Garages Take Customers 'For A Ride'
There are still shocking levels of incompetence in UK car garages, says Which?, after carrying out an undercover investigation. Nearly 90% of the garages investigated by the consumer watchdog missed or ignored at least one potentially dangerous fault, while 39% charged for a product that wasn't supplied.
01 February 2012
MOT Overhaul To Stop 'Clocked' Cars
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30 September 2009
Mandelson Serves Up Fair Tips And Wages Deal
New rules come into force tomorrow to ensure that thousands of workers get a fair deal on tips and wages. The changes make it illegal for businesses to use tips to bring staff pay up to minimum wage levels. They come into effect on the same day as new increases to national minimum wage rates which will benefit up to one million people.
Mandelson Serves Up Fair Tips And Wages Deal
New rules come into force tomorrow to ensure that thousands of workers get a fair deal on tips and wages. The changes make it illegal for businesses to use tips to bring staff pay up to minimum wage levels. They come into effect on the same day as new increases to national minimum wage rates which will benefit up to one million people.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
