Ssangyong and Infiniti are the latest brands to join the Motor Codes, New Car Code of Practice in the UK.

• SsangYong and Infiniti UK are the latest car manufacturers to subscribe to the Motor Codes New Car Code of Practice.  
• 39 brands have now signed up to the CTSI-approved code since its introduction in 2004.
• 99% of new vehicles sold in the UK are covered by the New Car Code.

Motor Codes, the government-backed consumer watchdog for the automotive industry, is pleased to announce that SsangYong, the South Korean automaker, and Infiniti UK, the Japanese luxury car manufacturer, have subscribed to its New Car Code of Practice. 

This brings the total number of car brands that have voluntarily joined the code to 39, meaning that an impressive 99% of all new vehicles sold across the UK are covered by this comprehensive guide of best practice.  

Introduced in 2004, the New Car Code was the first code for the automotive sector to gain approval by the former Office of Fair Trading. Now endorsed by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), it is designed to ensure that manufacturers supply new cars and warranties to consumers responsibly.

By signing up to the code, manufacturers promise that new car buyers will not be misled by adverts, documentation which is easy to understand will be supplied with the vehicle, terms of the warranty will be respected if the car is serviced according to the recommended guidelines, replacement parts and accessories supplied to dealers are of satisfactory quality, and any complaints will be handled swiftly.

With the recent introduction of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) legislation, manufacturers must equally ensure that there is a cost-effective mechanism in place to review a dispute quickly should one arise. Motor Codes, a CTSI-certified ADR provider, supplies a free advice and conciliation service for vehicle owners who are unable to resolve the issue directly. In the last decade, hundreds of claims have been settled by Motor Codes, saving thousands of pounds in arbitration and legal fees.

Bill Fennell, Managing Director of Motor Codes, said: “We are delighted that SsangYong and Infiniti UK have signed up to the New Car Code. Motorists purchasing new vehicles from both of these brands will now have the added peace of mind that they are operating according to best practice. This is coupled with the comfort of someone to turn to in the unlikely event that a problem arises after they have taken delivery of their pride and joy.”

Renault to take the risk of printing ALL independant customer reviews online.

• Independent reviews of Renault after-sales service to be displayed on Government-backed Motor Codes website
• Around 24,000 Renault reviews per year available to view including independent customer verbatim
• An ‘Overall Satisfaction’ score for each dealer makes for easy comparison between several dealerships
• Builds on the move in 2010 to display all Renault customer reviews on all Renault dealer websites

Motorists wanting to see independent customer reviews about their local Renault dealer’s after-sales service can now do so on the government-backed Motor Codes website.

By using the Garage Finder function on the motorcodes.co.uk website customers are able to search for garages in their area and see feedback from Renault customers, giving them valuable insights and reassurance when deciding where to take their Renault for service or repair.  They can also leave their own experiences via the website.

Thanks to a partnership with the leading automotive magazine, What Car?, customers are also able to access the same Motor Codes Garage Finder tool via whatcar.com.

Around 2,000 Renault after-sales reviews are submitted per month to Motor Codes meaning that each garage has numerous recent reviews to look at.  In addition to customer verbatim comments, two percentage scores are attributed to each garage to allow quick and easy comparisons between dealerships – one indicating whether they would recommend the garage to friends or family and the other for their overall satisfaction with the garage. 

Mark Crockett, Services & Quality Director, Renault UK, commented: “Independent customer online reviews have become a key part of today’s shopping experience – whether that be to buy a holiday, a home appliance, a car or to get your car serviced.  We have been proudly displaying customer reviews on our website since 2010 – this new move, to now post the comments of customers who have used a Renault dealer’s service department, on Motor Codes offers consumers another way to seek reassurance about where they are taking their Renault for service or repair.”

Holly McAllister, Motor Codes Head of Customer Service and Quality, said: “By sharing its customer reviews via motorcodes.co.uk, Renault is reflecting exactly how people shop today. Its owners can now be reassured they’re making an informed choice when it comes to the annual service. As well as the transparency of the online reviews, all Renault dealers subscribe to our Trading Standards-approved Service and Repair Code, providing complete customer confidence.”