Alec Murray, former Retail Motor Industry Federation chairman, has been appointed as first chairman for Motor Codes’ Independent Compliance Assessment Panel (ICAP).

In charge of the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair, Motor Codes’ director Chris Mason said Murray would set the standard by which all operations of the code will be monitored.

Murray said: “The decisions made by the panel will demonstrate that this Code actually has teeth and operates to the standards expected by Motor Codes and, importantly, the Office of Fair Trading.”

He added: "It will be interesting to see how these independent volunteers view our sector's performance and I look forward to taking an active part in the discussions that will follow."

ICAP carries out monitoring, compliance and sanctioning elements of code operations required by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

"It will meet on a quarterly basis to assess the performance of subscribers and review the content and operation of the Code and its operating structures and processes.

Along with the chairman, each ICAP meeting will call upon the services of four individuals selected from the ICAP pool - a group of individuals who have agreed to assist with the process on a voluntary basis from the motor industry, as well as individuals from the consumer lobby, advisory services and the broader business world.