AN undercover operation found nine out of 10 garages in Worcestershire are ripping off their customers.

After a number of complaints from the public, Trading Standards officers from Worcestershire County Council made the motor industry one of its key targets.

In June, officers conducted a simple test by correctly pre-setting the wheel tracking (which makes sure the wheels are aligned) on 10 cars and asked a mixture of independent and chain garages across Worcestershire to check and adjust them if necessary.

Nine out of the 10 garages visited adjusted the tracking - which costs £20-£30 - when it was not required. One garage even adjusted the alignment outside the specification set by the manufacturer.

The Worcester News asked for the names of the garages, but Trading Standards declined to give further details as they could face prosecution.

David Hough, enforcement officer for Trading Standards, said: "These results are extremely worrying, especially as there is nothing that consumers can do to prevent unnecessary work being carried out.

"The consumer has to completely rely on the garage or tyre depot and this survey shows that they are abusing the consumers' trust."

Operations manager Simon Wilkes said: "It's a huge safety issue as well - your car could be going in the wrong direction and that is a concern. We hope these findings will shake up the whole industry and we would say to garages everywhere to clean your act up and be honest.

"Investigations into those garages which did alter the tracking will be carried out and we could be looking at giving them a written warning or even prosecute them for breach of the Trade Description Act."

Councillor Derek Prodger, cabinet member for the environment, said: "It is disgusting that so many garages or tyre depots appear to be making money by charging for unnecessary work.

A spokesman for motoring organisation the RAC said: "The best way to check tracking is using specialist equipment, which garages have. However, drivers can check for premature tyre wear, which is a key indicator that their tracking is out."

If you are concerned about work carried out on your car at a garage in Worcestershire, contact Trading Standards on 0845 4040506.