We belong to three trade bodies, and they ask different things of us. One tested us before it would have us; one audited our premises when we joined and can check up on us afterwards; one binds us to a code of ethics. The Trust My Garage Code of Practice we work to is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. What each membership actually required, who checks we keep to it, and what happens if we fall short are all set out below. The common thread: every one of them gives you somewhere to go that is not us.
Associations
The trade bodies we answer to, and what each one asked of us first
Talk to us Talk to us
New Again is a member of the Retail Motor Industry Federation and part of their Trust My Garage Scheme. We also train through them: Matt and Tom hold Level 3 in Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Repair, awarded by the Institute of the Motor Industry and delivered by the RMI Training Academy.
We abide by the TMG code of practice, which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. There is a feedback process available via the Trust My Garage website, and the appointed Complaint Resolution Manager is Gary Wray. If we cannot settle something between us, you can take it to the National Conciliation Service, which is independent of us.
New Again is a member of the International Detailing Association.
We abide by the IDA code of ethics.
New Again is a member of the Professional Valeters & Detailers Trade Association.
We abide by the PVD code of conduct, and we had to pass a theory exam and a practical test to join. Gary wrote about the day he sat it.
What our memberships actually mean
Anyone can join a trade association. What do yours require?
They differ, which is why we list them separately rather than as a row of badges. The Professional Valeters & Detailers put us through a theory exam and a practical test. Trust My Garage audited our premises when we joined and can check up on us afterwards. The International Detailing Association is a membership rather than a test, and binds us to their code of ethics. We would rather say which is which than let you assume all three mean the same thing.
Who checks that you keep to the code?
The Retail Motor Industry Federation. Their compliance regime includes visits to members' premises, mystery shopping, analysis of consumer complaints and customer surveys. We also have to keep our own record of any complaint for at least twelve months after it is resolved, and hand it over on request. Separately, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute audits the scheme itself rather than individual garages; their registry records the last one as April 2026.
What happens if you break the code?
It escalates, and it is not run by us. A minor lapse gets advice. Something more serious gets a written warning with a deadline to put it right, and can trigger a follow-up visit or a mystery shop that we pay for. A serious or repeated breach goes to a disciplinary committee of three industry experts, who can expel us. There is no right of appeal, an expelled garage cannot reapply for two years, and any sanction is published on the Trust My Garage website for customers to read.
What if I complain and you do not put it right?
You take it past us. The National Conciliation Service is Trust My Garage's independent dispute resolution provider, and you can contact them in writing; they normally respond within seven days. They are not paid by us and they are not on our side. That is the point of them.
Is the IDA membership a qualification?
No, and we are not going to pretend otherwise. The International Detailing Association runs a separate certification programme with written exams and a hands-on assessment. Gary is a member of the association and bound by its code of ethics; he has not sat the certification. If that changes we will say so here.
We are fully insured, including public liability insurance, to give our customers complete peace of mind. Details available on request.
We take pride in our reputation:
We are accredited to apply Autosmart's Matrix range of ceramic coatings.
We are accredited to apply Siramik range of graphene coatings.
We are certified to apply Fireball range of ceramic and graphene coatings.