British drivers are happy to pay more when getting their car serviced at a garage they deem trustworthy, according to new research by AA Garage Guide, the AA’s MOT, repairs and car servicing garage finder.
The research revealed that a quarter (26%) of drivers paid more to visit a garage they trusted when they last serviced their car, while 22% went out of their way to visit an accredited garage.
However, a considerable proportion struggled to anticipate how much they might be spending, as more than one in 10 (11%) explained they were unsure of how much a service should cost. Meanwhile, a further 9% were stung by unexpected charges during their most recent service.
A small number of drivers felt this naivety was taken advantage of, as 4% believed they had been overcharged and 3% believed they had been charged for non-existent problems.
Yet when it comes to finding a benchmark for reasonable prices, drivers appeared to be at a complete loss, as just one in 10 motorists (9%) took the time to shop around or compare costs.
Olli Astley, director at AA Garage Guide, said, “As drivers tend to take great pride in their cars, it’s hardly surprising that so many are happy to pay a little bit more to visit a garage that they feel they can trust with their beloved motor.
“But if you’re yet to become a regular at a particular garage or reckon your last service wasn’t up to scratch, you needn’t put the fate of your car in the hands of the gods.
“Spend time checking out reviews before visiting a garage to sniff out any that might not measure up, as this will help save headaches further down the line. TrustPilot, Google Business and Reevoo all offer reliable reviews of many garages, so read up and steer well clear if you spot anything untoward.”