Rogue car mechanics 'still a problem'

30 March 2009

Motorists are less likely to get ripped off by using a reliable tradesman, according to the government-supported accreditation scheme TrustMark. 

Work is more likely to meet necessary industry standards, says TrustMark Marketing Manager Stuart Carter, which could be the difference between a successful and void car insurance claim. 

However, Mr Carter claims that many Brits have an "issue" finding good quality tradesmen, such as car engineers. 

He said: "You can go to someone like Yellow Pages but the trouble is that you open it up and there's a mass of brands and you don't really know what those particular logos stand for. 

"You are confident by using a [registered] tradesman that you are not going to be dealing with a cowboy or rogue." 

Recent research by Insurance.co.uk found that nearly half of British motorists feel they have been misled by rogue tradesmen. 

More than a third (34%) felt they have overpaid by at least £100, while one in ten (12%) believe they have been overcharged by as much as £3,000.