The Institute of the Motoring Industry is Calling for Licensing of the Motor Trade

Recent research by the IMI (Institute of the Motoring Industry) revealed that 71% of the 2600 British motorists surveyed believe that a licensing system for those working in the motor trade industry already exists. They further reveal that there is an underlying ignorance with regards to the qualifications needed for anyone involved in any aspect of motor trade. But currently there is no regulation governing individuals working on motor vehicles, and in terms of numbers thats a staggering 148,000 unaccounted car mechanics.

In addition to this blatant neglect for safety, this research further indicates that 59% claimed they wouldn’t commission anyone who didn’t have the necessary expertise to work on their vehicle, while only a meagre 10% knew how to actually peruse a technician’s qualifications. The IMI’s concern is how naive and vulnerable UK consumers are, which is fuelled by the fact that 3000 or so car crashes in 2011 resulted from vehicle defects from improper maintenance.

It is obvious that people are not aware of the rules that apply, in this case none. And a result, they could very well be putting their trust in a motor trader to do a job they are hardly qualified to do or have no clue how to go about it. Furthermore, new technologies being integrated into vehicles such as hybrid engines and complex driver assist systems further increases the need for effective and updated skill sets for safe working conditions of motor vehicles. What this now means for future changes to motor trade insurance is unclear.

But the current lack of industry wide licence for motor traders puts motorists as well as car mechanics in grave danger. The IMI states that their Accreditation and Professional Register already exists leaving the government with no excuse to delay it further. As a matter of fact, 90% of motor traders are in favour of the Accreditation and Professional Register so the IMI has increased their efforts to get it approved pronto by speaking with leaders of the political parties ahead of next year’s general elections. It has also received the ‘in-principle’ support of several major companies and organisations, and is anticipating this issue be resolved as quickly as possible.