Offensive’ dealer labour rates exposed in survey

Motorists pay more than premium in some parts of the country for main dealers

Dealer labour rates are a postcode lottery.

The highest hourly rate for dealer repair work was a staggering £240 at a Surrey garage, research by Auto Express and Warrantywise has found.The motoring magazine, which gathered data from 1,200 dealers across the country, say motorists face a postcode lottery when it comes to main dealer labour charges.The average labour rate in London was £101.60, while Scotland was the cheapest with an average labour rate of £71.42.

Graham Hope, deputy editor of Auto Express, said: “Obviously higher hourly rates in London are to be expected, but the huge difference in average costs across Great Britain shows motorists are not being treated fairly.

“And a difference of £204 per hour between individual garages is completely unjustifiable.”Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of Warrantywise, said: “Some of the differences Warrantywise has discovered are, frankly, offensive.”