The Motor Ombudsman has reported the highest ever volume of service and repair cases brought by consumers to its dispute resolution service during the third quarter of the year. Between 1 July and 30 September, the Ombudsman for the automotive sector received a total of 1,586 new submissions from motorists, up 18% from 1,348 in Q3 2023. This was slightly off the all-time high of 1,657 service … [Read more...]
Premiums catching up with repair costs
The recent surge of 21% in annual car insurance premiums does not come as a shock, said the National Body Repair Association. Wayne Mason-Drust (below) NBRA board member, explained this development, “For almost a decade, the cost of repairing a car following an accident has increased far below inflation. "Car insurers have tightly controlled repair costs by giving car repairers minimal annual … [Read more...]
Pothole problems are spreading say RAC
RAC patrols attended nearly a quarter (23%) more breakdowns where potholes were likely to blame in the last three months of 2022 compared to the previous three months, show new RAC figures released to mark today’s National Pothole Day. The motoring services company’s roadside staff went out to an average of 20 breakdowns a day between October and the end of the year – a total of more than 1,800 – … [Read more...]
Motorists are in the PITs, says Kwik Fit
The annual PIT Report or Pothole Impact Tracker for Kwik Fit, shows that over the last twelve months the total cost of pothole damage to British drivers has risen to a staggering £1.7 billion. This figure is a 35% increase on the previous year of £1.2bn, a rise which could be partly explained by the higher traffic volumes in the last twelve months than in the year to March 2021 – the … [Read more...]
Motorhomes sales are booming
Demand for motorhome cover surges as Brits prepare for UK’ations GoCompare has seen a 26% increase in quotes from motorhome insurance compared with last year, as restrictions on holidaying in self-catering accommodation ease across the UK. And it seems that the VW camper is still king when it comes to motorhomes in the UK, whether it’s a classic splitty, T2 or a modern T5. Hannah Isitt, … [Read more...]
High fleet returns pose problems for businesses
With the volume of lease extensions coming to an end, voluntary terminations and repossessions expected to substantially increase as lockdown eases. Now MJB Automotive is warning fleet and remarketing decision-makers to prepare for the reality that completing vehicle repairs before resale may not be achievable. According to MJB Automotive if the support chain has not returned to 100% operational … [Read more...]
Businesses stretch to survive
New data compiled by epyx has shown the increased level of contract extensions made on company cars and vans during the coronavirus crisis. Looking at transactions through its 1link Service Network service, maintenance and repair (SMR) platform, used by fleets operating four million vehicles, it has produced a comparison for April-August 2020 – the height of the pandemic so far – with the same … [Read more...]
Extinction Rebellion – warning to prestige car dealers
A stark warning has been made regarding action from Extinction Rebellion against car dealers, car manufacturers and car firms in Bristol and London. “The warning makes sober reading. Action will likely be against 4x4 and luxury car dealers and manufacturers, and while we expect it to be a non-physical social media campaign, dealers need to reinforce their security pronto”, explained Patrick Jones … [Read more...]
Lockdown security warning to businesses
Security of used cars and vans without access to formal storage facilities could be a growing problem for the remarketing sector over the course of the coronavirus lockdown, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The body, which represents organisations involved in the remarketing of 1.5m cars and vans every year, said that large numbers of vehicles left largely unattended in storage could … [Read more...]
PCP users paying for poor repairs
PCP users are facing unexpected bills for sub-standard repair work to contracted cars, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The organisation, which represents companies that between them handle, sell, inspect, transport or manage more than 1.5 million used vehicles every year, says that more and more cars are being presented for sale online and at auction with what the industry terms … [Read more...]
