What Is The 'Approved Garage Scheme'?

This Scheme has been developed by Fife Council to encourage public confidence in the motor trade by identifying responsible garages that operate legally and provide good customer service.

Car sales, servicing and repairs are a major source of complaints to Trading Standards Services. While some complaints are due to a small proportion of "cowboy traders", most arise when basically honest businesses fail to check that their mechanics and sales staff are doing their jobs properly or because traders do not have an adequate knowledge of consumer law.

Fife Council's Trading Standards Service is attempting to reduce these problems by launching an "Approved Garage Scheme", to encourage and promote high standards in the local motor trade".

What Does It Mean For You?

Buying a car is an exciting and stressful experience. Now, to help find a reputable garage, you can simply look out for the approved logo.

All Approved Garages will provide:

• fair, courteous service from trained staff
• an effective customer complaints procedure should something go wrong
• for car sales: accurate, honest and truthful descriptions, mileage indications and consumer checklist displayed on each vehicle
• roadworthy cars - when they are supplied for use on the road, including test drives
• for servicing and repairs: detailed quotes before starting work and reports on what's been done

Buying A Car?

The Trading Standards Service has produced an information leaflet entitled "Buying a Car? Your Guide To The Approved Garage Scheme" aimed at consumers who are buying a new or second hand car. The leaflet gives information on what to look out for before and during the purchase and what to do if things do go wrong.

Limitations

Membership of the Scheme commits traders to high standards of fair trading which are checked by Trading Standards staff. However, Fife Council, its Councillors and officers, do not check all cars sold or all work carried out and are not liable for any problems connected with the goods or services of businesses that have received approval under this Scheme.

Membership of this Scheme is not obligatory. It should not be inferred that traders who choose not to apply for membership are less reputable than those traders who have obtained membership.