There was a small article in yesterdays' Daily Star, 'Motorists Get Rip Off Rage'. This journalist has seen the Motor Codes statements that James has highlighted. This is good publicicty for Motor Codes but very bad publicity for the motor trade. As mentioned, Joe Public has a low opinion of the motor trade (generally) and this sort of report will strengthen that view, the media will take advantage of this.

What I would like to see is someone carry out a thorough work study of several (if not all) trades and 'Professions' etc. compare them all pound for pound, hour for hour, knowledge for knowledge etc, and then publicise their report. I bet the media wouldn't want to know.

I would challenge anyone from the media, (such as Which mag. the BBC, tabloid newspapers etc). to open their own garage for 12 months (with thier own money) and then report on their experiences, (so we can all have a laugh).

They can report on overheads, customers, pressure of work, the manufacturers inability to produce well designed vehicles, realistic service intervals, realistic repair times, technical information. But again they wouldn't want to know.

Should the day come when we have to be 'registered' would it not be better to have an organisation that the public already know and associate with motoring e.g. the AA or RAC, (I'm not recommending either of these but how many people have heard of Motor Codes, SMMT, Good Garage, MVRA, IMI etc.)?

However I feel that the motor trade is already closely regulated, if someone doesn't like a garage, they don't go there, and won't recommend them.

I'd better stop there as it's getting late.

Regards,

Andrew,