MOTORISTS are facing a lottery when they take their cars to be serviced, trading standards officers have warned.

Half the garages tested by the North Yorkshire County Council officers failed to service vehicles in accordance with manufacturers' schedules.

Ten garages were tested, with vehicles checked to see if key service points had been covered.

Among areas which went unchecked by mechanics were headlights, brake lights, tyre pressures, power steering fluid and radiator levels, according to the investigators

Five garages failed to service the vehicles adequately.

One did such a poor job that it now faces possible prosecution.

The remaining four garages have received cautions and advice.

Officers said the cost of the services was between £90 and £150.

County councillor Carl Les, executive member with responsibility for trading standards, said: "The results of this servicing survey are very disappointing.

"They show that consumers face something of a lottery as to whether the service they pay for will be performed comprehensively.

"It is worrying to see that some of the issues that have been missed are safety issues such as brake lights.

"Consumers are in a difficult position when they submit a vehicle for a service and rely on garages to perform the work professionally.

"I would ask that the vehicle servicing businesses across the county take note of these results and ensure that they are providing the best possible service to consumers."