Average hourly labour rates for car repairs vary by as much as 220% across Britain, according to data from used car warranty provider Warrantywise.
Consumer magazine Auto Express has revealed average rates reach a peak of £141 per hour in Twickenham, south-west London, compared to the cheapest average rate of £44 per hour in Kirkwall, Orkney. That results in a massive difference of £97 per hour. Overall, the average cost of labour in Britain is £84.30 per hour.
The highest recorded hourly rate of an individual garage was £240 per hour in West Byfleet, Surrey, with the lowest cost found to be £36 per hour at a garage in Smethwick, Birmingham – a staggering 566% difference.
Regionally, London recorded the highest average labour rate (£101.60) and was the only area to break the £100 mark. Scotland was by far the cheapest with an average labour rate of just £71.42 – 42% lower than the capital.
Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of Warrantywise, said: “Some of the differences Warrantywise has discovered are, frankly, offensive. Our advice is simple: shop around, negotiate and remember that as a paying customer, you are holding the ace cards.”
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