The Department for Transport (DfT) has put its support behind the service and repair sector's new consumer protection initiative, the 2010 Motor Codes.

Motor Codes is the largest protection code of its kind with its subscriber base already exceeding 6,200 garages.

Through the ‘Garage Finder’ tool on its website www.motorcodes.co.uk Motor Codes provides motorists with a list of nearby garages that guarantee to provide open, honest and trustworthy service at fair, transparent prices.

Launched in 2008 and now backed by the DfT, along with consumer groups such as Trading Standards and major industry bodies, the Motor Codes team looks to 2010 as the pivotal year for subscribing garages and their customers.

 

“There is no need for anyone to feel ripped-off or mistreated by their service and repair centre as Motor Codes garages guarantee this high level of service," said Chris Mason, Motor Codes director.

In a letter to Motor Codes, transport minister Paul Clark said that he welcomed its success and was encouraged by the level of support from across industry.

He made particular reference to the support Motor Codes gained from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, a key government division whose work impacts directly on every service and repair garage.

“We encourage motorists to use a garage that subscribes to an Office of Fair Trading approved code of Practice, such as the Motor Industry Code for Service and Repair,” said Clark.

“Membership of such a code demonstrates the garage’s commitment to standards of work, customer service and procedures for redress.”

This year, through a series of national, high profile awareness campaigns, Motor Codes plans to increase the number of visits to Motor Codes garages.