Car dealers could be given the green light to hire out vehicles.

Drivers hit by long-term repairs would be able to take a courtesy car from the dealers in a one-for-one swap.

The proposal is one plank of a raft of proposals aimed at giving consumers a better deal.

Car firms will also be required to get parts within a time limit to speed up repairs.

Consumer Affairs director Karen Marshall revealed that a presentation to the Cabinet was likely next week, but refused to say what the customer rights package would entail.

Earlier in the year the Consumer Affairs Bureau was getting around 15 complaints a day about stray parts.

Ms Marshall said: "We want to make everything a lot better for car owners who often have to wait a long time for repairs to be done.'' However, she stressed that the proposals were still being thrashed out.

Transport Minister Ewart Brown said: "It's a good idea and the Ministry is looking into that very seriously and hoping to achieve it soon.

"We hope to pass it in the next session as it makes sense and will benefit the consumer. But I don't want to be premature and comment too much on it.'' Holmes, Williams and Purvey president Jonathan Brewin welcomed the courtesy car plan which would bring Bermuda in line with standards of service typical in the US and the UK.

Car dealers have been in talks with the TCD over the new arrangement.

One concerned motorist said: "It's a great idea if they just lend them to motorists who are getting their cars fixed. But if they start hiring them out to everybody, it will be a big problem.'' TCD director Donald Dane said he saw the idea as positive, but stressed that the proposed laws would not lead to a relaxing of the ban on general car hire.

He said: "Dealers have 15 to 20 models of cars, but they don't stock all the parts. It can take three to four weeks or even longer to get them. So we are attempting to do something about it.''