The Approved Code Scheme is operated by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute

1 Sylvan Court Sylvan Way SS15 6TH Basildon, Essex, UK

RAC Approved Garages

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The RAC has been serving motorists since 1897 and felt it was their duty to provide motorists with a network of garages they can trust.

With more than 8 million members, they offer a solution for every motoring need. When you use an RAC approved garage, you will receive the same great service that their patrols deliver to members. All of the RAC approved garages work to the RAC approved garages customer charter and code of conduct which has been approved by CTSI to give you extra peace of mind and reassurance that you’re in safe hands.

Approved Dealers

As the UK's leading motoring organisation the RAC are regularly asked by car buyers how they can purchase a used vehicle with confidence and, demonstrating their position as the Motorists Champion, they feel obliged to put buyers in contact with a dealership that shares their ethos for quality, integrity and exceptional customer service. That's why they set up their network of RAC approved dealers. All of the RAC approved dealers work to the RAC Used Vehicle Code of Practice which has been approved by CTSI so you can buy with confidence.

SEARCH : Find an RAC Approved Garage (by Postcode)

 CERTIFIED 

Approved Code of Practice

This is to certify that the published Consumer Code of Practice of the RAC was officially granted APPROVED CODE status in 2016. Since then, the relevant provisions, processes and procedures have been continuously monitored and regularly audited by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) - the representative body of the UK Trading Standards profession, since 1881, and one of the primary Government-endorsed consumer protection bodies in the United Kingdom - operating on behalf of the Approved Code Scheme (see Code Audit Record, below).

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Approved Code Registry :

Code Sector Automotive and Repairs
Code of Practice Click here to view (pdf opens in new tab)
Year of Approval 2016
Members 264
Last Audited September 2023
Code Audit Record

RAC Service and Repair Audit 2024 (pdf opens in new tab)

RAC Used Vehicles Audit 2024 (pdf opens in new tab)

More about RAC Approved Garages

VERIFY A COMPANY : If you want to check that a business displaying the Approved Code Scheme logo is genuinely a member of the scheme, please enter their details in the search box at the top of the page (or use the main search box on the Homepage).

The RAC Code of Practice

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We have two Codes of Practice; the Service & Repair Customer Charter and Code of Conduct and the Used Vehicle Code of Practice. 

We know it’s not easy to find a trustworthy repairer or service centre that provides quality work. RAC Approved Garages and Accredited Repairers are a national network of repairers and garages who adhere to our Service & Repair Customer Charter and Code of Conduct. We inspect them every year to ensure you get the very best service and they’re complying with our Code. 

We set up the RAC Approved Dealer network to help consumers find a used car they can trust, at a fair price. All RAC Approved Dealers adhere to our Used Vehicle Code of Practice and to make sure they meet the high standards we demand, we audit them 6 times a year. 

Read the RAC Service and Repair Code of Practice (pdf)

The RAC's codes promote better working practices and improved levels of customer service. This gives consumers better protection and peace of mind that they’re dealing with someone they can trust. 

The Service and Repair Customer Charter and Code of Conduct ensures customers receive honest pricing, quality work and exceptional customer service. Set out across four main sections, the RAC detail what a consumer can expect in relation to:

  • Their booking
  • Work undertaken
  • Costs and charges
  • Garage/Repairer staff.

The Used Vehicle Code of Practice allows consumers to buy a used vehicle with confidence and peace of mind. It covers three main sections, detailing what a consumer can expect in relation to:

  • Advertising
  • Customer service
  • Vehicle preparation.

RAC's membership scheme features businesses from a wide variety of different motoring fields. RAC members consist of vehicle service and repair garages, mobile tyre repairers, mobile locksmiths and used car dealers.

All garages, repairers and dealers undergo due diligence checks prior to being allowed to join our networks to ensure they meet our standards. Ongoing audits are then completed to ensure they continue to meet the RAC's standards and are abiding by their Codes. 

If a member breaks the RAC's Code of Practice, they will work closely with the business to ensure an appropriate resolution. This could include:

  • An apology and explanation
  • A refund
  • A goodwill gesture
  • An offer of further repairs

The RAC will then issue recommendations to the business to prevent this from happening again. If they can’t be satisfied of this, the RAC may decide to remove them from their network, although this will always be a last resort. 

Disputes and Complaints

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As a consumer, if you ever enter into a dispute with a business that is a member of the RAC, the business must offer you Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This is a simpler, cheaper and faster alternative to going to Court. And the adjudications of the independent ADR body are binding on the business (although you are still free to go to Court afterwards).

Offering customers ADR is a mandatory and non-negotiable requirement for membership of the Approved Code Scheme - ensuring that only the best, most customer-centric businesses remain in the scheme. It also acts as a powerful incentive for any member business to treat you with respect, courtesy and fairness, at all times.

Complain about an RAC Member business

If you feel you have been mistreated by a business that is a member of the Approved Code Scheme, there are steps you can take. In the first instance, please reach out to them - explaining the nature of your complaint in clear and unambiguous language, and mentioning that you are aware of their membership of the RAC and the Approved Code Scheme. In most cases, this approach will ensure your complaint receives proper attention - and, ideally, a resolution will be forthcoming. If you are not happy with the result, they must offer you Alternative Dispute Resolution, or you can request it.

Only if this approach fails to bear fruit should you contact RAC, or their nominated ADR body (see their contact details, above) - who will then do their best to help you resolve your dispute with the business.

RAC's Advice :

If a consumer has a dispute with one of our members, they should contact the business directly in the first instance, outlining their concerns and the outcome they’re seeking. This gives the business chance to resolve any issues. If the dispute can’t be resolved with the business, the RAC can offer an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service. Our ADR service is completely impartial and has been approved by CTSI. It’s also free to consumers. More information can be found on the RAC website. 

Complain about RAC Approved Garages

A business can appeal any decision made by us, or raise a complaint, by contacting us directly. Any concerns will be escalated to the appropriate Manager, who will review and respond directly. 

Alternatively, if you represent a business and would like to complain about the way that RAC operates, as part of the Approved Code Scheme, please contact us at : ccab@tsi.org.uk.

Organisation Information

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Corporate Details (from Companies House) :

Registered Name RAC MOTORING SERVICES
Company Reg. No. 01424399
Established 1979
Reg. Address Rac House, Brockhurst Crescent, Walsall, WS5 4AW 

PLEASE NOTE : We recently changed the consumer-facing name of the scheme from the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS) to the Approved Code Scheme. However, some of our publicity and contractual materials (produced before June 2024) may still include references to the original name. Until we have adapted everything, both names remain valid - and we apologise for any confusion.

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    • The Approved Code Scheme, c/o CTSI, 1 Sylvan Court Sylvan Way, Southfields Business Park, Basildon, Essex, SS15 6TH

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