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How to find a good garage
How do you find a reliable garage for your car's non-breakdown needs?
Green Flag offers excellent car recovery and breakdown services, and can use local mechanics and tow you to the nearest accredited garage so you get the fastest response. But it's sometimes difficult to find a reputable garage for general maintenance. Luckily, new industry reforms are on the way that will reform the behaviour and practices at garages, making it easier to find a good one.
'Rip-off' garages
Motor Codes, the motor industry's code of practice body, found that thousands of car owners across Britain have been ripped-off by garages in the last five years. They found that:
- over a third of motorists are dissatisfied with their garage experience
- one in five car owners have been charged more than the garage's quote
- 12% of motorists think they've been overcharged by a garage
- 70% of people don't know who to speak to if an issue arises with a garage
- 94% of car owners want a recognised garage code with minimum standards.
Code of practice for garages
The good news is that over 5,000 subscribing garages have signed up to Motor Code's new code of practice. Members are pledging to:
- Have honest and fair services
- Open and transparent pricing
- Complete work as agreed
- Use invoices that match quoted prices
- Have competent and conscientious staff
- Offer a straightforward, swift complaints procedure
Garages are working hard to improve their image – so next time you visit a garage, you’ll know what to expect!
When searching for a garage…
- Use Motor Code's garage search facility to find the nearest Code subscriber.
- Get testimonials from colleagues, friends, family members and car clubs.
- When visiting, look for a clean well-organised work area and office.
If you do break down, Green Flag prides itself on using good local mechanics and has the knowledge and expertise to find the best local garage for you.
