Car Insurance News from Be Wiser

Dealers Inflating Parts Prices

A survey of the cost of parts across the country has claimed that some dealers overcharge motorists by up to 400 per cent to encourage them to buy new cars. While recent liberalisation to the way that parts are supplied was intended to bring prices down, the survey by a car parts supplier has claimed that this has not always been effective.

It added that drivers should beware of salesmen suspiciously lurking just behind them ready to strike with their sales patter while a colleague provides an outrageous quote.

"I believe car manufacturers are keeping replacement parts prices high in order to encourage motorists to buy a new car," said a spokesman for the firm.

"If their customer chooses to pay for the inflated repair quote the dealer wins either way. It's a win-win all the way for the dealers – often at huge and unnecessary expense to the motorist."

Most new vehicles will lose around 60% of their value in the first three years of ownership. On a £15,000 vehicle that’s £9,000 of depreciation, or enough cash to allow a motorists to service and repair the average vehicle for around 14 years.

Before being persuaded in to buying a new vehicle when faced with an expensive garage repair bill it is worth checking out alternative parts prices and arranging the repair yourself.

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