The 2011 Golden Garages competition has been launched.

Last year's competition attracted thousands of motorists to vote for the best service and repair garage in the country.

Open to garages of all sizes and franchised and independent, the process will highlight the best service and repair centres across the country.

Every garage taking part should demonstrate to new and existing customers, their commitment to high service standards while those rated as the UK’s top garages will share in a prize pot exceeding £11,000.

“It’s often said that it’s not the winning, but the taking part that counts and Golden Garages is a perfect example of this,” said Chris Mason, Motor Codes director.

“We can’t wait to identify outstanding garages across the UK, but one of the best things about this competition is that it provides businesses with the opportunity to demonstrate what makes them special and why customers should use them and keep coming back.”

Opening for public voting in January, the competition will identify industry best practice as customers rank various aspects of their experience to build a Golden Garage rating for each registered service and repair centre.

Garages can now register for the competition at www.goldengarages.co.uk where each will receive free publicity materials.

Additionally, each will have their details automatically added to the voting pages that will pre-populate garage information when each customer casts their vote.

“It’s quick and easy to register at www.goldengarages.co.uk and there’s a great selection of handy marketing materials on the website to maximise publicity potential,” said Keith Kingham, 2010 Golden Garages winner and Kinghams of Croydon owner.

“While the £11,000 prize pot is enticing, the competition is a fantastic springboard for local custom. By simply being in the running, existing and potential customers will see you’re not afraid of stepping up to the customer service mark.”

Launched by industry regulator Motor Codes in 2010, Golden Garages attracted over 9,000 votes from motorists across the UK.

Using a combination of customer votes, comments, RAC inspections and submissions made to a panel of industry experts, the process identified the UK’s top 50 and top ten service and repair businesses before identifying the UK’s Golden Garage for 2010. www.goldengarages.co.uk.

The UK’s top ten garages were:
 A1 Motorcare, Cardiff, Wales
 ABP Motorsport, Crewe, North West
 Anglo Continental Cars, Milton Keynes, Midlands
 Arnold Clark Renault, Paisley, Scotland
 Clive Woolford Motors, Tewkesbury, South West
 Fred Henderson, Durham, North East
 Kinghams, Croydon, South East and London
 Kings of Witcham, Ely, East
 Prestige Services, Wakefield, Yorkshire
 SERE Motors, Lisburn, Northern Ireland

The Golden Garages judges are Mike Brewer, Steve Fowler, Emma Butcher and Chris Mason.