Trading standards officers are calling on the UK Government to create a new Motor Trades Act to set standards for the advertising, sale and servicing of cars and light commercial vehicles.

The call for a specific act was made by Steve Delahaye, Trading Standards Institute chairman, at its annual conference.

“We are calling for legislation in order to sort out, once and for all, the bad reputation that certain sections of the motor trade have given the whole industry,” said Mr Delahaye. “We think both consumers and honest traders will support this call.”

Trading standards officers say complaints about malpractice in the motor trade remain their highest single cause for concern. Regular problems encountered include incompetent servicing, misleading advice on repair needs, sale of unroadworthy vehicles and poor consumer information.

The institute expects a sympathetic hearing from the Government.

Melanie Johnson, new minister for competition, consumer affairs and markets, had announced earlier in the conference a £30m modernisation fund to help trading standards officers stamp out rogue traders.

David Evans, RMI chief executive, said: “The legitimate end of the retail motor trade has for far too long been tarred with the same brush as rogue dealers.”