East Anglia 'most expensive region for car repairs'

Updated

Some motorists pay over a third more to get their car repaired depending on where they are in the UK, according to a new study.

Research by a website which compares the prices of garages and mechanics showed that the region with the most expensive average bill is East Anglia at £241.

This is 34% more expensive than the cheapest place, which is Northern Ireland at £180.

Other areas at the top end of the price list are the South East (£238) and South West (£231).

Scotland was found to be the second-cheapest location at £186, followed by the North East at £192.

The UK average price is £220.

The figures were compiled by WhoCanFixMyCar.com, which is used by thousands of motorists each month to obtain quotes for vehicle repairs and servicing.

Alex Rose, marketing director at the online firm, said he was not surprised that East Anglia is the most expensive region.

"Intra-garage competition in urban areas forces prices down, and garages make up the difference simply by processing more customers through their doors every day.

"In countryside locations, it may be that the relatively small number of garages within a realistic drive-time reduces competition, while the smaller number of jobs done by a garage in these areas means that prices are increased to compensate," he told the Press Association.

"Overall, however, lower pricing trends in the north of England and in Scotland will be driven by several factors, including lower business rates and lower staffing costs in particular."

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