GARAGES have been praised following a forecourt survey carried out by Stockton Council’s Trading Standards inspectors.

A trained forecourt inspector visited ten garages where vehicles were for sale, examining a total of 20 cars.

Just three informal notices were issued in respect of safety issues - two for tyre tread or pressure and one for a faulty brake light.

Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “I am really pleased with the results of the exercise.

“Consumers should be reassured garages in the area are taking their consumer protection responsibilities seriously and checking cars they offer for sale are in a safe condition.”

Under consumer protection legislation, Trading Standards have powers to inspect, test or examine cars on garage forecourts.

If they find defects they can suspend the vehicle from sale and require the garage to rectify the defect before the car is sold.

They can also seize and detain the vehicle and apply to a magistrate for an order that the car be forfeited and destroyed.

Consumers can protect themselves further by asking the opinion of an experienced car mechanic, asking the dealer for all the car documents, and insisting on a full MOT. Trading Standards services across Tees Valley has joined up with members of the motor trade in a bid to give consumers greater confidence when buying new or used cars.

The Do The Right Thing Tees Valley Motor Trade Partnership Scheme is a joint venture between Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland Councils’ Trading Standards and the motor trade within the area.

The aim of the scheme is to improve existing standards of customer care while promoting fair and honest trading.

A full list of members is available at www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/stockton or by calling Stockton Trading Standards on 01642-526560.