The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the UK’s new car manufacturer and importer trade body, said on Monday that its New Car Code of Practice has completed stage one of the Office of Fair Trading new consumer codes approval scheme.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The code presents a set of promises from manufacturers directly to new car buyers. It includes the information car makers must provide in new car warranties including terms and conditions, as well as advice about consumer rights and what to do in the event of a complaint. Importantly, the code includes an independent dispute resolution mechanism where a consumer believes a promise has been broken.
The SMMT claimed that the vast majority of the 2.5 million new car buyers each year are satisfied with their purchase but added that the new code will give all buyers greater confidence and assistance to the minority of customers who are either not satisfied with the quality of their new car or the way a dispute has been handled.
SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said: “We look forward to demonstrating our commitment to the code and gaining stage two approval from the OFT in the near future.”
