The Association has been established for some 28 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, in conjunction with the MTAs in every other State and Territory.