The Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA has joined the RMIF in rebutting the Consumers Association's criticism of the CarWise Code of Practice. CarWise is to be administered by the SMTA in Scotland.

SMTA Chief Executive Douglas Robertson said: “The new SMTA CarWise Code represents a genuine attempt by the motor trade to raise its own standards of service to the consumer. We are convinced that it will raise standards and are disappointed that a body such as the Consumers' Association chooses to discredit it without giving it a chance to work.”

He added, “All SMTA members will be required to comply with the new Code and its introduction has been well received by the membership. As well as introducing new, higher standards of customer service, the scheme will allow consumers who have a genuine complaint against an SMTA member, recourse to a Complaints procedure. Whilst we recognise that the consumers themselves will be the best police force for the new scheme, it would have been more than helpful to the consumer had a body like the CA agreed to take part.”