Rise in Repair Charges Spurs Drivers into Preventative Action

LONDON, November 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

A recent survey has shed light upon an additional cost that many motorists may have noticed when checking their car in for repairs. Repair bills are reportedly costing drivers more because of a sharp rise in labour costs - something motorists are unlikely to welcome given the steady rises they expect in the form of insurance premiums, vehicle excise duty and fuel.

Motorists already contribute a great deal to the economy in the form of different payments they are required to make to keep their cars on the road, so the hike in repair costs will only come as more bad news.

The annual Warranty Direct Labour Rates Survey found that labour charges have increased 10 per cent in two years. The average has now reached £83 an hour with drivers in Surrey paying a high average of £98.27 for repairs. The lowest geographical average was found in Powys where drivers paid around £58 an hour labour charges.

It was also found that the big dealers were responsible for the largest hikes in labour charges, while independents' fees did not rise quite as sharply. The worry for motorists is that even the most routine breakdown situations could end up costing them a fortune to fix - costs they may not be able to avoid if they want to go on using their cars.

Car parts retailer Euro Car Parts has certainly seen a lot of interest from motorists looking to save money on repairs by shopping for parts themselves and taking advantage of discounts and offers online. Those visiting http://www.eurocarparts.com are usually met with a range of special deals aimed at better car maintenance and cost-effective repairs.

It is advised that drivers do their best to avoid emergency repair situations by investing in parts and monitoring problems all the time. Fast replacement is often a better option than allowing parts to deteriorate and take their toll on other components which may require bigger repair jobs.

With the sharp rise in repair costs, the more cost-effective option is to anticipate work that needs doing and be proactive about it. Regular services are often seen as a good way of catching problems early.