Voting open for Golden Garages

Voting is now open in the Golden Garages competition that will reveal the countrys best garages.

Run by Motor Codes, the self-regulatory body that oversees the activity of more than 6500 service and repair centres, the competition will identify the UKs top 50 garages in February. These will then be whittled down to a top 10 in March, before the winner is announced in April.

The public can cast their votes on the Golden Garages website. Anyone who votes for their favourite local garage will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a Porsche Driving Experience.

In last years competition, there were over 9000 votes. RAC inspections and submissions made to a panel of industry expert, including What Car? editor-in-chief Steve Fowler, will also help to decide the winners.

Through the competition, Motor Codes which is backed by government and industry hopes to raise standards across the service and repair sector by championing best practice. It aims to produce a modern-day word-of-mouth recommendation of the best places to go for repairs.

Levels of garage expertise, quality and service have never been better, but finding those businesses that offer high standards, excellent customer service and a stress-free experience can be difficult. Golden Garages changes that by highlighting the best of the best, said Chris Mason, Motor Codes managing director.

To assist consumers, Motor Codes administers three codes the New Car Code, the Vehicle Warranty Products Code and the Service and Repair Code. Together, these commit subscribing garages to honest and fair service, competent and conscientious staff, and a straightforward and swift complaints procedure.

They also give motorists access to a free advice line, an online Garage Finder to find the nearest subscribing garage, and free conciliation and low-cost, legally binding arbitration.

Any motorists that fills in a Service and Repair code survey is also entered into a free prize draw. The winner has service and repair work up to the value of 500 paid for and will be drawn in tomorrow's live lunchtime Q&A.