Car repairs at franchised dealers can cost you a fortune

Car repairs at franchised dealers can cost you a fortune

	Published : Fri, 17 Feb 2006 09:10 By : James Rowe Print this Story

LONDON: Some car mechanics in Britain may be earning more than a doctor or a lawyer, according to a survey by a motoring magazine.

The investigative survey, by What Car?, found that car owners are often paying more than 100 pounds per hour for labourers at franchised dealer outlets. In contrast, the magazine said a locum doctor would charge up to 500 pounds for a whole day, while the services of a junior lawyer can cost as little as 30 pounds an hour.

Steve Fowler, the magazine's group editor, said his investigating team found that labour rates at franchised dealerships are just too high. "Consumers could save hundreds of pounds if they shopped around and did their research," he said.

Fowler said advances in technology have turned once simple tasks, in the past often undertaken by many owners, into fiddly, time-consuming jobs.

He cited the instance of replacing a main-beam bulb (costing less than 4 pounds) on an Audi A2 model could cost as much as 66 pounds in a dealer's place.

The survey also brought to light differences in rates in various regions, the costliest being London.

Fowler suggested that car owners could consider avoiding franchised dealers or travelling to areas where the costs are lower. He said in a statement: "One option I will be considering is to book my car in at the cheapest garage, even if I have to travel to it -- the savings I can make will pay for a night in a hotel and a decent meal."

The magazine discovered that a full service on an Audi A4 1.9 TDi will cost 220 pounds in Scotland, while in London, the rate is 440 pounds. A similar service for a BMW 318 in Bristol would cost 165 pounds against 370 pounds in London. The cheapest rates are for the Ford Focus 1.6 -- 110 pounds in Scotland and 195 pounds in London.

The survey found that at non-franchised outlets across the country, the average rate for servicing a Vauxhall was 40 pounds an hour and only 10 pounds more for a BMW.

Fowler said motorists should be aware that they could use non-franchised dealers and still keep their manufacturer's warranty. They should only ensure that the service provider is VAT-registered and uses manufacturers' parts and the recommended schedule of work.

A spokesperson for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders justified different rates. "The price of work undertaken at BMW at Park Lane in London is going to be a lot higher than a Vauxhall garage outside Aberdeen," he said.

He said the recommended service intervals for most cars are now getting longer. For example, Peugeot had extended the interval on its latest models from 12,000 to 20,000 miles.