Independent garages lack confidence in the BSI Product Services Kitemark, according to a national survey commissioned by Motaquip.

The UK aftermarket parts supplier found 94% of independent garages are not accredited under the BSI Product Kitemark scheme.

However, the most shocking statistic is that nearly six out of 10 (57%) independent garages are not confident that BSI can help raise the perception of garage service and repair standards.

David Higgins, Motaquip’s general manager, said: “There have been a lot of changes that the independent garage sector has had to get to grips with over the last couple of years. This survey was specifically designed to gain a better understanding of how these changes have affected the sector and research their hopes, fears and concerns going forward.”

It has been 18 months since the BSI Product Services Kitemark scheme was launched.

“With only 6% of those surveyed actually accredited under the scheme, it suggests that independent garages are neither interested in the scheme nor convinced of its worth.

“The finding that almost 60% of independent garages are not confident that it can help raise the perception of garage service and repair standards is clearly a call to action for the industry to reinforce its efforts to implement a scheme that works for all,” added Higgins.