Motor Codes is urging independent garages to sign up to the Code of Practice for Service and Repair following complaints that they are being tied up in too much red tape.

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) released a survey this week which showed that 81.5% of its members chose legislation as the biggest burden on their business.

Motor Codes is urging garages to join the code as it acts as a way to deter the Government from introducing more legislation for garages. It is backed by the industry, Government and the consumer lobby and was established last year to act as the self-regulatory body for the automotive sector. It was launched the Code to give garages the means to demonstrate they are responsible, customer-focused and transparent in their business activities.

A spokesman for Motor Codes said: “Quite simply the onus is on the garage sector to demonstrate to government and the consumer bodies that they are responsible businesses – otherwise legislation will be imposed on them to cover licensing to carry out service and repair work.

“It is no good for garages to just say ‘oh but we already do that’, even though most actually do, they need to demonstrate it. That is where the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair steps in.”

Trading Standards are keen to work with Motor Codes and let the Code of Practice for Service and Repair be monitored by it and concentrate on those who have not subscribed.