The BSI has retracted its statement claiming the Office of Fair Trading will begin closing down garages from January for inadequate repairs.

The organisationissued a statement to the media headed “OFT warns garages can be shut down from January 2007”.

The BSI admitted its press release was 'inaccurate'.

The press release said the OFT will begin inspections “with a view to taking prompt action and enforcing legislation on the industry when the NCC’s supercomplaint happens in 2007”.

The BSI operates the PAS80 Kitemark scheme, which costs repairers £745 per year. The BSI promotes this as the only way for garages to demonstrate their quality. However, a year after its launch the number of garages with a Kitemark is barely into double figures.

The National Consumer Council (NCC) has already withdrawn the immediate threat of a supercomplaint, as the industry has made good progress towards an OFT Code of Practice.

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