The IMI welcomes this Code of Practice as it aims to raise industry wide standards and provide customers with a clear, straightforward and easily understood way of doing business.

Sarah Sillars, IMI Chief Executive

Carrying the Motor Codes logo tells potential customers that this business takes their consumer protection seriously.

Ed Mayo, Chief executive of Consumer Focus

This is one of the most important pieces of consumer protection in the last 30 years, giving motorists peace of mind when getting their car serviced or repaired.

Chris Mason, Director, Motor Codes Ltd

For too long the bad practices of a minority have damaged honest businesses and ripped off consumers. I'm delighted that the industry has got together to tackle this problem and drive up standards.

Rt Hon John Hutton, Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

By using a garage that has an approved code, customers can be assured that they will receive a much higher standard of protection than required by law.

Charles Wallace, OFT Head of Consumer Codes

The Code

The Code was developed by the motor industry in response to a National Consumer Council paper, which alleged that the service and repair sector caused 'consumer detriment' (ie customers being ripped off) valued at a staggering £4 billion a year.

The vast majority of garages are responsible businesses.

Those responsible businesses quickly recognised that committing to a set of standards that would restore the public’s faith in the industry was very much in their interests.

The Code has the backing of motor industry bodies, vehicle manufacturers, dealers, networks and franchises. It also has the support of the National Consumer Council, Trading Standards and BERR (Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform). The Code has achieved Stage One of the Office of Fair Trading Consumer Codes Approval Scheme.

Each section of the Code details a subscribers' promise, sets out the criteria they need to comply with, and contains useful information and guidance for you, under the heading 'We would advise you to'.

The Code also sets out the details of the complaints escalation process and information on the Code Conciliation and Advisory Service and lists the applicable legislation.

You can get a copy of the Code from any subscribing garage.

Click here to view or download a copy of the Code

The Brief Guide

The Brief Guide is a leaflet companion to the Code that you find in the customer area of every Code subscriber. It contains a brief overview of the Code and provides information on the Consumer Advice Line, Conciliation and Arbitration. It also has a useful pre-contractual information check list on what you should know before a garage starts working on your vehicle and a freepost consumer survey that you can complete and return following a service or repair.

Click here to view or download the Brief Guide