Thumbs up for local garages in covert operation

East Sussex County Council Trading Standards Officers targeted a number of garages locally, and in other areas of the County, in a covert operation to check car servicing.

Five different makes of car were checked by an independent vehicle expert prior to being put into five different garages for a general service.

Officers found that generally the level of service was good and each car had been checked and matched up to the agreed price, the service sheet and where extra work had been recommended '“ which was all justified.

Officers found only one instance where there was a discrepancy between the price quoted and the price charged and this is now the subject of a further investigation.

Linda Butler, from the Council's Trading Standards team said that operations like the motor servicing check are good for both consumers and businesses:

"Getting your car serviced regularly by the local garage keeps your vehicle running efficiently and may help to avoid potentially expensive future repairs or breakdowns '“ but are you getting what you pay for?

"Thankfully, our covert operation on the garages that we checked revealed that the answer is yes.

"This type of initiative helps to protect consumers and also helps businesses by weeding out the dodgy operators who sometimes give the motor industry a bad name. Our investigations to date would suggest that the vast majority are providing a good service but we'll continue to mount these operations from time to time to help ensure our residents are getting what they pay for."

Each garage involved in the operation is being contacted by Trading Standards and given feedback.

For more information about the work of Trading Standards visit the County Council's website at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/consumeradvice.