FOXY's Good Garage Guide for women drivers

FOXY signs of good garage quality

For more than 30 years the UK garage industry has tried to police the quality of its own service and repair work, with little success in reducing the number of complaints each year. In 2005 the National Consumer Council recommended that the then DTI should take steps to regulate the car servicing and repair industry if it failed to police itself more successfully. This was an ultimatum and served as a wake-up call which produced several competitive quality schemes, some better than others.

The first national signs of quality to emerge were the ATA, BSI and OFT-approved code of practice described below.

On a local stage several Trading Standards Institutes introduced a local Motor Trade Partnerships to identify and promote honourable local businesses that were selling cars and garage services.

All things being equal FOXY Choice entries include these five quality schemes plus the regional general business trading scheme called 'Buy With Confidence'.

Here is some information about each below...

Buy With Confidence
www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

This Trading Standards scheme operates in the South East of England and looks at businesses such as Nurseries, Cleaning Services and Wedding organisers alongside garages, to see if they conform with Health and Safety, Employment and Environmental legislation. Good at what it does, it does not determine a specific code of practice for businesses providing garage services hence the emergence of some excellent Motor Trade Partnerships (described below under Local Authority Assured Trader Schemes) which are more rigorous and a better indicator of quality standards in what is a highly specialist area.

ATA
www.okwithata.com

ATA (Automotive Technician Accreditation) is a tiered scheme which tests the competence of auto technicians to do specific jobs. Those that achieve the standard are accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). Unlike snapshot qualifications such as degrees, taken once in a career, ATA has to be re-taken every five years which is a good reason for qualified individuals to keep up to date with the latest skills and auto technology. ATA holders also sign an ethical code of conduct.

Whilst the ATA accolade and effort is earned by the individual, supporting employers are making a financial commitment to quality workmanship in their business.

All ATA technicians carry a photo ID card to confirm their accreditation.

BSI Kitemark
www.kitemark.com

There are two automotive services Kitemarks in existence in 2012. One is for car servicing and mechanical repairs but it is in the process of being withdrawn. The second is a highly demanding Kitemark standard for vehicle bodywork repairs. All licensees (main dealers, independents and fast-fit businesses alike) are required to demonstrate clean and professional premises, skilled technicians and a commitment to only carry out work at the customer's request and at agreed prices.

Local Authority Assured Trader Schemes

A few motor trade partnership schemes are part of the Local Authority Assured Trader Scheme Network (LAATSN) which means they are nationally recognised and supported by the Trading Standards Service and the Office of Fair Trading. Although each scheme is different they each specify demanding terms and conditions for business subscribers who sell, service and repair vehicles. As such they are more meaningful to motorists than general trader schemes in an unregulated motor industry where customer safety can be compromised.

Cheshire East Borough Council, Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council's Golden Spanner Approved Motor Trader Scheme

North Lincolnshire Council Motor Trade Partnership

South Yorkshire Motor Trade Business Partnership

West Yorkshire Trading Standards Motor Trade Partnership

OFT approved Code of Practice
www.oft.gov.uk/codes

The Office of Fair Trading operates a Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) in 'car service and repair' and 'motor trade' categories. The 'car service and repair' code helps motorists identify better businesses and encourages those businesses to raise their standards of customer service. The core criteria cover the organisation of the code sponsor, the preparation and content of the code, complaints handling, monitoring, compliance and publicity.

Code sponsors are typically trade organisations who are required to promise and then prove that their members are following the core criteria of the code. Only at the end of Stage Two (this can take some two years to reach) can member businesses display the OFT approved code logo.

The following organisations operate OFT approved codes:

The Bosch Car Service garage network operates an OFT approved scheme for 'car service and repairs'
Motor Codes, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) operates two OFT approved schemes; one for 'new car sales' and another for 'car service and repairs'
The Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA) operates an OFT approved scheme for vehicle repairs

NB: If you choose a business listed by FOXY Choice www.foxychoice.com they will have signed the FOXY Promise stating "We strive to be a female friendly business and will never knowingly overcharge, patronise or sell our customers services they do not need or want."

If any listed business subsequently disappoints, FOXY will record and monitor the resolution of a complaint, reserving the ultimate right to suspend or de-list a business, depending on the severity of an allegation or a 'couldn't care less' attitude towards customer concerns.

More of FOXY's Good Garage Guide for women drivers...

FOXY signs of good garage quality
Different types of garage solutions
Garage tips to save money and run safer cars
Leading garage networks
Leading motor trade bodies