Pre-registration for the 2012 Motor Codes Garage of the Year competition is now open, ahead of the start of voting from 24 February.

The free-to-enter competition is open to all service and repair centres – franchised and independent, large and small – aiming to find UK motorists’ favourite garage.

Motor Codes, the self-regulatory body that operates OFT-backed codes of practice for over 6,500 service and repair centres will be opening the competition to the public for voting next month.

Now an annual initiative, the competition benefits from a number of enhancements for 2012, including the addition of Havoline as sponsor and the introduction of separate award streams for large (over 10 employees) and small garages, reflecting the diverse nature of the industry.

Voted for entirely by customers, the contest will pick out the UK’s top 100 garages, 50 big and 50 small businesses, highlighting regional champions and, ultimately, the Motor Codes Garages of the Year.

The aim is to help motorists identify reputable outfits, cutting out the worry for people when choosing where to trust their car and hard-earned cash and, ultimately, boost business for Motor Codes subscribers, as managing director, Chris Mason, explains:

“Since the last competition, we have received fantastic feedback from many garages about the increased business the campaign has driven. The support from Havoline and the broader award categories will help us make an even bigger impression on the public about the quality of service from Motor Codes garages.”