OXFORD: Adam Hitchcox and Stuart Walford, technicians at BMW dealer North Oxford Garage, based on the Wolvercote roundabout, have become part of a groundbreaking nationwide move to raise standards of car servicing and repair.

They have both passed their BMW technician assessment, which also qualifies them as Accredited Technicians in a new scheme run by the Institute of the Motor Industry.

The scheme included a series of practical tests and an online knowledge test. They must be reassessed after five years to maintain their credentials.

Graham Livesey, of North Oxford Garage, said: "Vehicles are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex, so it's vital that there is a recognised benchmark of technical competence."