The Association has been established for some 36 years to represent the interests of employers in the motor trades in the ACT. Through the MTA, which has established very solid credentials with the community and the various arms of government, the views of small business operators in the motor trades can be heard.

An important objective of the Association is to promote community and customer goodwill towards the industry by providing information and advice wherever possible. In the case of disputes between customer and member, the Association can assist the parties by providing a balanced assessment of the issues in dispute and making suggestions for resolving them.

In addition to representing the interests of the retail automotive industry in the ACT, the Association is a member of the Motor Trades Association of Australia, which represents the interests of the retail automotive industry on a national level.

The Association offers members a range of services specifically tailored to the needs of the motor trades. These include:

• Employee wages and conditions
• Unfair dismissals and industrial disputations
• Specialised stationery
• Trade practices and fair trading
• Technical publications
• Apprentices and trainees
• Occupational health and safety
• Superannuation
• Business insurance

The Association is essentially a mutual self-help organisation, membership of which is open to all legitimate registered businesses in the repair, service and retail of motor vehicles in the ACT. The Association is made up of industry sector divisions - general and specialist repair divisions, new and used car dealer divisions, divisions for engine reconditioners, tyre dealers, parts and accessories, motorcycles, transmissions, body repair and towing, auto dismantlers, and a general division.

Each division has an elected chairperson, each of whom is duly elected to the Board of Directors of the Association at the annual general meeting of all members, each year. The President and Vice President of the Association are elected from among the Board of Directors.

The Executive Director and the Office Manager are fulltime employees who report to the President and Board of Directors. Members also have direct access to senior industrial relations expertise under arrangements with the Motor Traders Association of NSW.

Every MTA member subscribes to the MTA Statement of Business Principles. This is a powerful marketing device in promoting the quality of your business practices and level of customer service.

If you would like to further discuss the advantages of membership of the Association please call Helen Jones or Bob Gardner at the MTA Downer office to arrange for our our field officer to call on you at your premises.

MTA members are committed to conducting their business professionally and fairly.

Each MTA Member Will:

• Act with professionalism, courtesy and integrity in all their business dealings
• Comply with all applicable territory and federal laws, regulations and codes
• Provide an estimate for all vehicle repairs including the work required, the cost of parts, labour costs and any subcontracted work
• Provide an estimate for a vehicle diagnosis (when required before an estimate of repairs can be given), which includes the cost of reassembling the vehicle to its prior state
• Notify the customer and obtain authorisation to continue work if, during that work, it appears the estimated charges will be exceeded
• Provide on invoices full details of work carried out and charges for labour, parts, materials, parts disposal, environmental levies and subcontracted work
• Guarantee repairs and service performed against failure due to defective parts supplied by the repairer or faulty workmanship for a specific number of kilometres or period of time (subject to the customer's rights at law)
• Not knowingly mislead a customer in relation to the condition of a vehicle or be a party to improper practice in relation to the sale or purchase of a vehicle
• Pass unencumbered title to any vehicle sold, but in the event that the encumbrance cannot be cleared, make good any loss suffered by the customer
• Not misrepresent any product or service in advertisements, and ensure that all claims and descriptions made in advertisements are genuine.