EC promises cheaper servicing

25 October 2005

Manufacturers forced to comply with rules
After-sales servicing market to be opened up
Tech info and tools available to all

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Motorists in the UK could enjoy cheaper car servicing and repairs if the European Commission follows up on a promise to put more pressure on manufacturers.

Under Europe-wide competition laws, manufacturers must give independent service and repair garages access to the technical information and diagnostic tools that are needed to work on their cars.

Independent repairers complain that many manufacturers have failed to deliver, however, and keep the bulk of the multi-billion pound industry in-house.

Now industry newspaper Automotive News Europe reports than European Commissioner Paolo Cesarini is ready to properly open up the market to competition and cheaper prices for motorists.

Cesarini's department is currently investigating whether DaimlerChrylser (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Mercedes), Fiat, General Motors (Chevrolet, Saab and Vauxhall) and Toyota have failed to provide the required information to independents. Initial findings are expected to be released in the first half of 2006.

Many motorists wrongly believe that using an independent workshop will invalidate their warranty. Our undercover What Car? is Watching investigation earlier this year also revealed that four out of every ten franchised dealers misleadingly said warranties would, or could be, worthless if work was done by an independent.

As long as service and repair work is done to the same standard as a franchised – according to its schedules and procedures and using genuine parts – warranties are unaffected. Keep all record of work done, and make sure your service book is stamped.