Independents ‘half franchise price’ IGA finds

19 April 2013  

MOTORISTS feeling the pinch when it comes to the cost of owning a vehicle will be delighted to hear that visiting an independent garage could cost them on average £40 an hour less than if they visited a franchise dealer. This is according to recent information released by the Independent Garage Association (IGA).

The IGA polled over 2000 of its members on their labour rates and has concluded, that independent garages ‘continue to offer motorists the very best value for money.’  Figures from the poll show that the average labour cost is slightly over £40 for independent garages, the lowest being £32 in Northern Ireland and the highest being £48 in the south and south east. In contrast, the most recent annual labour rates survey from insurer Warranty Direct demonstrates that average labour rates for franchise garages stand at a national average of £95.94 with some franchised dealers charging a staggering £55.94 an hour more than independents.