A single code of practice for motor consumers would cause confusion, a leading vehicle repair body claimed today.
The Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA) has urged the government to retain the current regulatory framework. At present both the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) enforce industry codes of practice.
VBRA director-general Ron Nicholson said: "The VBRA believes that trying to develop a completely new structure, effectively duplicating those that already exist, will not only fail to get the recognition of the general motoring public but also that of the industry.
"But by further developing those structures already in place, using the new OFT codes as the blueprint, will allow all responsible businesses to take advantage of such a scheme so raising the profile and performance of the industry at large and benefiting the consumer."
The VBRA criticised moves to unify the two codes, saying that each programme would need to have separate "quality marks", which could bring throw doubts over each scheme.
