Leasing operators are ceasing to trade with garages that decline to join the 1link e-commerce network, according to its operator, Epyx.

To date, almost 10,000 service providers, including franchise dealers, independent garages and fast-fit networks, have signed up to 1link. However, a number - estimated at around 2% of the total car service market - is refusing to take on the standard.

Ken Trinder, head of business development at Epyx, says: "There is a degree of resistance present that we find difficult to explain. It is a very small part of the market but is undeniably there.

"These garages - mainly independents - don't seem to understand that the fleets that have adopted 1link, representing almost two million vehicles in total, will simply take their business elsewhere.

"If garages make a decision to stay outside of the network, they will be cutting themselves off from both existing and potential business with up to 40 of the UK's top 50 vehicle leasing companies now insisting on electronic trading ability from their approved repairer networks.”