The Independent Garage Association’s (IGA) Trust My Garage (TMG) scheme is set to become a government approved code specifically for the independent garage sector.

Following the move of the consumer codes approval scheme into the Trading Standards Institute (TSi) the IGA has announced that Trust My Garage will become the consumer facing badge of the whole independent sector.

The Trust My Garage consumer code will be the open to independent garage businesses. It will be competing with Motor Codes' Service and Repair Code, which covers all garages in the service and repair sector - over 25% of subscribers are independents.

Stuart James, IGA Director, said: “Recently there has been criticism surrounding independent garage businesses which in many cases the IGA believes to be unsubstantiated and unjustified.

“With the independent sector being so huge the IGA believe that it is right to stand up for all the good independent garages.

“However, we accept there are a small number of garage businesses in the independent sector that cause consumer concerns. A Trust My Garage code will work with Trading Standards and other consumer bodies to address these concerns and offer assurance to consumers by driving out the cowboys.

“The code will start with the service repair industry and will help consumers identify good local garages who offer good customer service and a quality repair.”

The IGA is also looking at extending the Trust My Garage brand to a code for independent used car sales too.