Dear All,

There are a number of questions to be answered about the legitimacy Mr Mason and this 'code'.

Do you, as a business with an interest in an indepent garage, feel secure that the SMMT (the body which represents the vehicle manufacturers and franchised dealer business) is self appointedly trying to represent OUR industry with the government?

Given who their paymasters are, do you feel you will be dealt with fairly and equitably, especially if your opponent stems from a franchised background?

Are you happy that during a BBC interview the representative of 'the' code didn't challenge the report that 'most' garages were ripping customers off?

Are you happy putting your efforts into a 'code' which ,during a BBC interview, stated that the main thing which differentiated this 'code' apart from the previous 11 failed attempts was that this code had arbitration? Nothing about standards, entrance criteria, training, assessments, mystery shopping, quality control, etc.

Fact is that this code is purposly designed to make it easy to join. By 'suggesting' to their existing 'members' (the franchised dealers) that they join the code, with, I quote "just a few phone calls" it begins to gain legitimacy. Reason being, that they get the required bulk of members which makes it credible in the eyes of the government, they feel that 'their' scheme will prevail.

There have been almost a dozen voluntary codes during the last 30 years which have failed because they have been voluntary.

Are you happy to join another voluntary code, which appears to have dubious origins, aims and objectives, and which is run by an interested, and perhaps, biased party? Or would you prefer a truly independent code?

In my opinion, the IMI, RMI or a collaboration of industry bodies should come up with, run and manage (in conjunction with the industry) a proper (non-voluntary) scheme.

Face to face (at the recent top tech day with over 100 indepedent observers) Motor Codes didn't stand up to this type of scrutiny.

Task your independent association body to do something in about a proper industry code which is in your interest and that of your customers. Act TODAY and don't let Motor Codes 'sneak' in by the back door.

James.