Monday, 07 September 2009

Subscription renewals to Service and Repair Code going well

Motor Codes is delighted to announce that after its successful first year of operation, current subscribers are signing up for a further 12 months to the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair. Most vehicle manufacturers have already committed their networks and chosen to bulk-subscribe to ensure uninterrupted levels of customer service, with a growing number making it part of their dealer agreements.

"This impressive response is firm evidence of the commitment the industry continues to show towards delivering ever-increasing levels of customer service," said Chris Mason, Motor Codes director. "Garages that have renewed are recognising the benefits to be obtained from subscribing to the Code and wish to continue doing so. This sends a clear message to consumers and those other businesses that have not yet realised the importance of demonstrating their willingness to do the right thing."

The Code was launched in August 2008 and has just completed the process of reviewing renewal requests from those initial subscribers - as well as new applications.

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain's director for customer service, said; "Ford has led the industry in supporting and implementing this code of practice.  Ford Authorised Repair Centres already meet, if not exceed, the Code, so they found it easy to embrace.  Most importantly, the motor industry now has a common standard to make the choice of garage easier and to provide other valuable customer benefits."

Developed and launched in response to consumer concerns over pricing, quality of work and customer service, the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair safeguards consumer interests by helping them identify responsible garages. It has been introduced by the industry to the satisfaction of government and the consumer lobby with the aim of delivering a minimum standard of operation and giving consumers adequate protection. It also helps encourage the sector to maintain a high standard of customer service and garages that commit to this also find they benefit greatly from the additional assistance provided by Motor Codes - for a cost of just £75 annual subscription.

"The fact that so many vehicle makers have renewed their commitment by bulk subscribing their dealers to a second year in the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair gives a clear vote of confidence in the value to be gained by this industry-wide means of delivering consistent levels of customer service," Said Kevin Todd, chairman of the Motor Codes customer service committee.

More than 5,000 garages in the UK subscribed to the Code during its first year of operation and it is currently progressing through the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Consumer Codes Approval Scheme. It has completed the first stage of the OFT's code approval process.

Notes to editors:

Vehicle manufacturers who have renewed via bulk subscription or committed to the Code through dealer programmes are: Audi, BMW, Citroën, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Saab, SEAT, Škoda, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen cars and commercial vehicles and Volvo cars.