Mechanics 'charging £170 per hour'
The survey claims that mechanics are taking consumers for a ride
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Tuesday, 08, Aug 2006 11:16
Car mechanics and repair garages are charging consumers "extortionate" rates of up to £170 per hour, a new survey has claimed.
Research by aftermarket warranty provider Warranty Direct revealed that the average hourly rate for garages in the UK was £72.28, while car owners in London could expect rates of £86.51 for repairs.
Today's survey also compares the price differences between franchised and independent mechanics, with the latter found to be almost twice as expensive. Garages that form part of larger businesses charged a nationwide average of £91.07, while independent mechanics had rates of £49.61.
The highest hourly fee of £170.61 was recorded in London, which was revealed to be the most expensive region for mechanic rates, as expected.
But in its survey of 3,000 separate garages, Warranty Direct believes that owing to the fact that the £100 barrier was broken in 42 of the 53 regions it polled, UK drivers are getting an increasingly raw deal.
Duncan McClure Fisher, spokesman for the firm, said: "After a couple of years of excessive rises, mechanic labour rates have started to stabilise but it's obvious that there is still a major gulf between regions, and independent and franchised garages.
"The latest findings show that garage rates are still extortionate, but motorists can help themselves by asking how much they charge an hour. Unfortunately, once you get the bill, it's too late to yell," he added.
Responding to today's report, Matthew Carrington, chief executive of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF), said that the results gave consumers a "misleading impression" of the car repair market
"Franchised dealer labour rates are generally higher overall because of the extra costs that these businesses incur in order to meet the standards expected by both consumers and car manufacturers," he explained.
The RMIF executive concluded: "Independent repairers may incur lower costs, and these savings may be passed on to customers. Those independent garages that have made the investment, have the equipment, and have undertaken the relevant training to meet the required standards of the recommended manufacturer service schedule can work on vehicles without invalidating the warranty."