An end to garage rip-offs on the cards

Every motorist pays £150 a year over the odds for their car servicing and repairs. A new challenge thrown down today by the NCC will encourage the industry to clean up its cowboy culture fast.

‘The garage industry has long been bad news for consumers. The good news is that the industry is now starting to show some signs of turning the corner. However, there is still a long way to go before Britain’s 25 million car drivers can be sure of a fair deal’, said NCC’s chairman Lord Whitty.

He has written to DTI ministers to set out a timetable and put forward an NCC plan of action to end the scandalous practices that cost car-owners dearly.

The NCC route map will lead to higher standards and ensure that wherever consumers live they can easily find a garage that does a good job at a fair price.

NCC’s plan of action gives the trade a deadline of September 2007 to put its house in order, including getting Office of Fair Trading (OFT) approval for a code of practice and continued investment in raising skill levels in the workforce. A new kitemark scheme also has the potential to make a real difference. But with half of UK garages still giving unacceptable service, improvements are needed urgently.

Lord Whitty added: ‘Our message to industry - is sign up now to these initiatives, and make a positive difference for consumers.’

NCC is urging the DTI to step up pressure on industry to reform over the coming months. If progress stalls, NCC urges the DTI to regulate – with an industry levy to fund dedicated enforcement activity to bring errant garages to book.