Ex-Independent Garage Association chairman, Jonas Zambakides, has been named chairman of the IAAF’s (Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation) garage division.

He joins the the IAAF-G management team, which also includes Mike Owen as specialist head of section for the IAAF-G.

Owen also used to be chairman of the IGA and he will be in charge of driving membership numbers for the IAAF-G. The new organisation will be competing directly for members with the RMI’s IGA.

In his first announcement as IAAF-G chairman, Jonas Zambakides has urged the Department for Transport (DfT) to make Motor Codes subscription part of VOSA’s assessment criteria for its MoT centres.

Zambakides said: “DfT needs to understand that the independent service and repair sector is crying out for a reliable and cost effective means of self-regulation and Motor Codes offers just that.

“Reputation and trust are key business tools for MoT service centres and independent garages. If VOSA adds Motor Codes subscription to its assessment criteria, the whole industry will benefit from the improved reputation that Code subscription offers.”

Despite VOSA setting standards for MoT procedures within its workshops, there is no sector specific regulation of other service and repair work carried out at MoT garages.