Increasing car repair costs continues to be the biggest issue for drivers when visiting a garage, as prices of parts, labour, and increasing technology in cars all combine to put pressure on aftermarket businesses.
The study of over 750 drivers by FixMyCar on what their biggest bugbear is when it comes to taking a car to the garage for repairs or routine maintenance saw car repair cost come out on top as the main frustration.
In total, 27% of drivers said that the cost of repairs was their biggest bugbear, while 16% said it was the cost of routine maintenance, just to keep their car on the road. Another 13% said that the lack of transparency around pricing was one of their biggest frustrations.
Preparation helps garages
“Costs have changed a lot in recent years, for drivers that don’t visit a garage often, the sting comes most often from surprise at the costs they’re asked to pay, and it overshadows the rest of their experience with garages who often do exceptional work in tight timeframes.” stated Matt Wrankmore, Head of Garage Network at FixMyCar
“This is why we have launched a free Car Repair Cost Calculator on our site to enable drivers to research for themselves, ahead of booking, the average cost of common car repairs and maintenance services in their area. We’ve always prioritised choice and transparency for drivers, but increasingly we have recognised a need for drivers to be more informed from the very start of their journey. Our Car Repair Cost Calculator will help to mitigate any nasty cost surprises for drivers, who can research at their leisure the most up to date costs of repairs before they book.
When it comes to car repairs and maintenance, drivers should prioritise the best and safest service possible but with cost an ever-present concern it is only right to enable drivers to make an informed decision.”
Varying car repair cost across the UK
According to FixMyCar’s Car Repair Cost Calculator, the average car repair cost of a clutch replacement on a Ford car make varies from city to city across the UK. Oxford comes out on top in terms of highest cost, while Derby saw the lowest average cost.
| Oxford, OX1 | £836.02 |
| Edinburgh, EH1 | £782.00 |
| Bristol, BS1 | £764.94 |
| Plymouth, PL1 | £695.50 |
| Liverpool, L1 | £686.85 |
| Cardiff, CF10 | £641.52 |
| London, EC1 | £640.62 |
| Southampton, SO14 | £643.17 |
| Glasgow, G1 | £623.85 |
| Manchester, M1 | £570.60 |
| Birmingham, B1 | £565.79 |
| Cambridge, CB1 | £534.65 |
| Leicester, LE1 | £448.28 |
| Derby, DE1 | £408.36 |
The variations in cost of just one car repair option highlights the struggle drivers face and the importance of clear and transparent information being available to help them make their choice.
