A mystery shopping exercise carried out on behalf of the Department of Trade & Industry at a number of automotive servicing outlets is expected to show the motor sector in a poor light. The results will be published shortly.

Commenting on the exercise, Matthew Carrington, incoming chief executive of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) said: 'The RMI is keen to work with Government to seek out the best way to strengthen the protection provided to the consumer, and a voluntary "Good Garage Scheme" may be part of the solution.'

Carrington continued: 'The retail motor sector works hard to bring to consumers the highest levels of service available. In the UK there are more than 25 million vehicle services carried out each year. Prescribed service standards are already in place and the sector constantly strives to uphold them. For example, the RMI works in partnership with over 40 Trading Standards offices, and this number is increasing. In addition, RMI members will already have displayed a high level of professionalism, competency, and service by attaining their membership, which should ensure customer satisfaction. Any consumer wanting to find an RMI member
can do so easily and efficiently. They can either use the RMI Consumer Motorline on 08457 58 53 50 or go to the RMI website: www.rmif.co.uk '

He concluded: 'We will examine the results of the survey, and co-operate fully with Government to find ways of strengthening the service that the industry offers consumers. The objective has to be to ensure that the consumer gets a high quality service at the right price and can easily identify which garages are committed to these standards.'