“Despite the vast majority of garages and car retailers upholding the very best service standards, these figures are impossible to gloss over and demonstrate why some consumers are nervous about buying used cars. One of the most important pieces of advice offered by Citizens Advice is to find a reliable retailer, to seek recommendation and to find a seller that operates to an existing motor industry code of practice.
“Motor Codes currently offers consumers an online garage finder and customer review facility for thousands of garages across the UK committed to our New Car and Service and Repair codes of practice and, if asked, we will work with Citizens Advice to explore the most effective way of directing people to responsible used car sellers.”
Chris Mason, managing director
About Motor Codes:
Motor Codes operates OFT-approved codes of practice that raise and maintain standards in the service and repair and new car sectors.
The New Car Code covers over 99% of all new cars sold in the UK and regulates the advertising, sale, warranty, replacement parts availability and complaint handling processes for new cars.
The Service and Repair Code helps motorists to identify responsible garages, offers a structured complaints procedure and promotes good customer service. More than 6,800 garages in the UK subscribe to the Code and millions of motorists benefit from its protection and standards, in addition to the free advice line and dispute resolution service.
The Code commits subscribing garages to:
- honest and fair service
- open and transparent pricing
- completing work as agreed
- invoices that match quoted prices
- competent and conscientious staff
- a straightforward and swift complaints procedure
It offers motorists:
- a free motoring advice line (0800 692 0825)
- an online Garage Finder tool, complete with real-time ratings, to locate the nearest reputable garage
- free conciliation and low cost, legally binding arbitration
