MPs have been accused of being "out of touch" with the world of work by the Institute of the Motor Industry.

The IMI commissioned a survey of 99 MPs to find out their views on attitudes to the motor trade.

It found that while MPs recognised the number of jobs the industry provides - with 60% saying their constituents were quite likely to work in a garage or a dealership - more than half suggested the motor trade was low skilled, low paid and dirty.

IMI chief executive Steve Nash said: “There is a terrible confusion in parliament about the people in our industry. 

"They understand that large numbers of hard working people make their living in it, and that 35 million vehicle owners depend on them to keep them on the road. Beyond this they are quite happy to perpetuate unhelpful stereotypes of a grimy back street trade.  This attitude is not helping the public to understand the level of skill necessary to work in our sector.

“The IMI will be calling for MPs to support licensing the motor automotive sector when MPs return from summer recess.

"IMI Accreditation (ATA) in its many variants has been developed as a template for some form of licensing, should the authorities wish to pursue this. Furthermore, the public are already able to establish who the appropriately qualified individuals are and where they work via the IMI’s Professional Register. We would encourage all MPs to take a look too.”