Warrington Trading Standards - Approved Motor trader Scheme

What is a Motor Trader Approval Scheme?

Our Motor Trader Approval scheme is designed to encourage and promote standards in the local motor trade.

The main aims are:

• to increase compliance with consumer legislation;
• to improve consumer confidence by promoting Approved Traders;
• to improve the image of the motor trade.

What Do Scheme Members Have To Do?

To join, motor traders must have an established business and a history of fair trading.

They all must:

• comply with the spirit and letter of the law;
• deal with all customers fairly, and courteously;
• have an effective customer complaints procedure.

Car Sales businesses must:

• ensure that all descriptions, are accurate, and truthful;
• produce a checklist for each vehicle;
• pass on relevant information on vehicle's histories to consumers;
• ensure that only roadworthy vehicles are supplied for use on the road;
• take reasonable steps to verify mileometer readings;
• use disclaimers where the true mileage cannot be verified.

Car Servicing and Repair businesses must:

• ensure that any work requested is properly carried out;
• monitor work done by checking a proportion of jobs;
• Obtain the customer's permission before doing extra work;
• retain replaced parts for customers to inspect;
• give detailed invoices.

How is the Trading Standards Service Involved?

We are committed to providing:

• a fair and impartial service to both consumers and businesses;
• assistance in resolving disputes;
• regularly auditing of member businesses;
• mystery shopping exercises.

• notify the trader straight away, in writing if necessary, and give them reasonable opportunity to correct the problem;
• contact the Trading Standards Office if you are not happy with the outcome;
• nothing in the scheme prevents any party from seeking redress through legal action in the Courts or by way of alternative dispute resolution;
• where a complaint involves a criminal offence, a thorough investigation will be carried out. Any trader found to have committed a criminal offence may be prosecuted, removed from the scheme, or both.

Limitations of the Scheme

Membership commits traders to high standards of fair trading. However, Warrington Borough Council, its members 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.

How can I find out more?

For further details of the scheme, please contact us at:-

Warrington Borough Council
Trading Standards
Palmyra House
Palmyra Square North
Warrington WA1 1JN