Independent garages demonstrate commitment to consumers

The Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair has boosted its subscriber reach with the commitment of over 500 independent garages through Prestige Car Servicing.

Prestige, the fastest growing independent car servicing network in the UK, has agreed to sign up all its sites nationwide, demonstrating its dedication to high service standards and customer satisfaction.

“We are committed to the highest service and quality standards. Enrolling our network in the Motor Industry Code of Practice scheme will enable Prestige Car Servicing to deliver an unrivalled national network of service centres. Our vision is to have a national network that brings our customers an unsurpassed reputation for quality, reliability and professionalism,” Craig Archibald, Fleet Sales Director, Prestige Car Service.     

“The Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair is an industry-wide code, demonstrating the sector’s commitment to building consumer confidence. I’m particularly excited to see our subscriber numbers boosted by so many independent garages and thank Prestige for the public commitment it has made to the scheme,” said Motor Codes director, Chris Mason. “Most UK garages already deliver the standards set out by the Code but we urge them to demonstrate this by subscribing and registering their commitment to fair and honest trading.”

The Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair safeguards consumer interests by helping them identify responsible garages and encourage the sector to raise and maintain a high standard of customer service. More than 5,000 garages in the UK have already subscribed to the Code which is currently progressing through the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Consumer Codes Approval Scheme. It has completed the first stage of the OFT’s code approval process.

Developed and launched in response to consumer concerns over pricing, quality of work and customer service, the Code commits subscribing garages to:

• honest and fair services

• open and transparent pricing

• completing work as agreed

• invoices that match quoted prices

• competent and conscientious staff

• a straightforward, swift complaints procedure

And offers motorists:

·         an online search facility allowing consumers to locate their nearest subscribing garage

·         a free consumer advice line (0800 692 0825)

·         free conciliation and low cost, legally binding arbitration

Full details can be seen at www.motorindustrycodes.co.uk