Kitemark stamps out cowboys

An increasing number of garages are choosing tough self-regulation in order to differentiate themselves from less reputable ‘rogue’ traders in the car servicing and repair industry.

Just four months on from the launch of its Kitemark scheme for the servicing and repair of vehicles, the British Standards Institution (BSI) has today announced that it is to award the first three Kitemark licences to garages that have successfully completed their rigorous and demanding inspection process.
 
In achieving Kitemark certification, Ongar Bridge Motor Company Limited of Essex, the Village Motor Company of Merseyside (a Unipart Car Care Centre) and Whitehouse Crayford of Kent, have all been successfully audited by BSI and meet all of the stringent Kitemark scheme requirements.
 
This framework saw companies used to operating in a largely unregulated marketplace, invite BSI Kitemark inspectors to measure technical competence as well as customer service including consumer fair trading requirements.

The Kitemark is recognised by over 80% of UK adults as a symbol of quality, integrity and trust. With no specific statutory regulation for car servicing and repair, the advantages of the Kitemark for the motorist are clear.

Says Stephen Roberts, Business Development Manager at BSI Product Services “Until we launched the Kitemark scheme last year, there had been 11 failed attempts to raise standards in the automotive sector in the last 30 years. We are delighted with the industry’s support for the Kitemark scheme which we feel reflects the time we spent with industry experts and after market specialists in getting the framework right. As a result, garages with integrity can now demonstrate their own excellent standards to the motorist by displaying the Kitemark.”

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For media information:
Niki Wheeler on +44 (0)20 7403  6900
Email: niki.wheeler@thespaway.com