Blackpool motorists urged to join car repairs campaign

9:10pm Saturday 19th July 2008

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Motorists in Blackpool, already facing rising fuel prices and the threat of increased vehicle excise duty, could be forced to pay twice as much to have their car serviced and repaired if they don’t join the fight to stop European legislation changing, campaigners warn.

Currently, every motorist in the UK has the right to have their vehicle serviced at an independent garage or a franchised dealer of their choice.

However, European law is set to change in 2010, effectively taking away motorists’ freedom of choice and leaving them even more out of pocket.

To help combat this, the independent aftermarket for motor vehicles has today launched its Right to Repair Campaign and is urging motorists in Blackpool to pledge their support.

Jonas Zambakides from the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) and spokesperson for the Right to Repair Campaign, explained: “Ultimately, the freedom for vehicle owners and drivers to choose where they get their vehicle serviced and repaired is under threat.

"If European legislation changes, motorists will be forced to take their car into a vehicle manufacturers’ franchised dealership and away from the independent repairer.

“Independent research shows that if this does happen, it could double the cost of a service for motorists, as the removal of choice will inevitably lead to higher repair and maintenance costs for both parts and labour.

"To compound this, there’s the strong likelihood that consumers will then service their vehicles less as a result of the associated costs, which will have potential vehicle safety and environmental issues.”

The Right to Repair Campaign has been created by the independent automotive industry, which is made up of vehicle repairers including body repair and roadside assistance specialists, parts distributors and suppliers of replacement parts, tyres and batteries.

Zambakides added: “As well as consumer choice, the survival of the entire independent aftermarket is at risk – repairers will be driven out of business, distributors will lose their clients, tools and parts producers will lose their independent aftermarket business and employees will lose their livelihoods.

"Our campaign is all about uniting everyone with an interest in the UK to safeguard our futures.”

To pledge your support to the Right to Repair Campaign, visit www.r2rc.co.uk and sign the online petition.

The petition will be used to lobby European Parliament to help uphold motorists’ choice to have their vehicle serviced where they want.