Motorists vote to map out UK’s garage good guys
Motor Codes, the OFT-approved garage scheme operator, has today announced the shortlist of businesses in the running for its Garage of the Year title. Thousands have voted in the annual initiative that helps uncertain motorists know where to turn for top-class customer service. Over 7,000 garages from across the UK, all subscribers to Motor Codes’ government-backed code of practice, put themselves up for public scrutiny.
Motor Codes runs the contest to highlight garages that provide a consistently reliable, trustworthy service to motorists, with results driven directly by customer feedback.
The competition, reflecting the diverse nature of the car servicing industry, is split into two categories, with awards for the franchised main dealer of the year and independent garage of the year. The results from the opening round can be seen online, where voting now commences for customers of the garages on that shortlist, before the regional winners are announced at the end of March.
Overall champions, the UK’s franchised and independent garages of the year will be selected from this list of regional winners by a panel of judges chaired by Motor Codes managing director, Chris Mason and including television presenter and car expert, Vicki Butler-Henderson, Auto Express editor, Steve Fowler and Trading Standards lead motoring officer, Tim Milsom.
The membership of the judging panel reflects a number of positive moves for Motor Codes and consumers this year, with Trading Standards taking over administration of the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme – the government body that oversees the work of approved schemes such as Motor Codes. Also, Motor Codes has partnered with Auto Express, the UK’s biggest selling motor magazine. A move that Motor Codes managing director, Chris Mason, sees as an important one for motorists:
“Garage of the Year reflects the overall principles of Motor Codes – that you help people choose a reputable business by opening up your whole network to completely frank and honest public reviews. Pairing with Auto Express Driver Power, which gathers the opinion of tens of thousands of car owners every year, signals our intention to make sure that the most accurate information is out there for all to see, so that you don’t have to feel anxious about choosing a garage.”
Voting to find the best of the best, for customers of those garages on the shortlist announced today, is open until noon on Sunday 24 March.
As well as contributing to the UK roadmap of safe-haven service centres, everyone that votes will be entered into a prize draw to win a pair of tickets to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship finale at Brands Hatch, with full hospitality provided by Porsche Cars GB, a chance to pit your wits on-track with a Porsche Driving Day, as well as some spending money, with £250 Love2shop vouchers supplied by Unipart Car Care Centres.
