In a brand new part of its ‘Vendor or No Vendor’ advertising marketing campaign, aftermarket agency Halfords claims motorists are wrongly instructed to make use of franchised dealerships to take care of their guarantee.

Within the autumn Halfords picked a combat with franchised supplier networks by claiming drivers are paying “over the percentages” for service and repairs.

Now, following a survey by Opinium, it says too many motorists wrongly imagine they have to use a dealership to guard their automobile’s guarantee.

In whole 54% of the motorists surveyed claimed that they had been instructed that they have to get their automobile serviced on the model’s dealerships to guard their guarantee, when by regulation they’re entitled to pick out any workshop that may meet the automobile producer’s particular service necessities and use matching high quality elements.

Virtually one in 5 drivers whose automobiles are now not beneath guarantee imagine they’re obliged to make use of dealerships for servicing.

Halfords is on a cost to win market share within the automobile upkeep sector following its acquisitions of Common Tyre and Autocare, Nationwide Tyres and Autocare and Lodge Tyre, and it now has 650 workshops, nearly 1,800 ‘service places’ (together with its cellular service vans) and a median buyer drive time of 20 minutes.

Within the newest part of the ‘Vendor or No Vendor’ marketing campaign, Halfords is concentrating on the 6.8 million drivers whose automobiles are out of guarantee however who nonetheless use dealerships for servicing.

It claims cost-conscious motorists may save nearly £400 million in the event that they stopped utilizing dealerships for servicing as soon as their guarantee has expired.

“Individuals have each proper to make use of a supplier for servicing if they want, nevertheless it’s vital they accomplish that out of selection, not as a result of they imagine they’re beneath an obligation,” stated Graham Stapleton, chief government of Halfords. “Our analysis reveals there may be a substantial amount of confusion, and it possible begins with what persons are instructed on the forecourt.

“Halfords will all the time supply a top quality service by totally certified technicians at an important worth. The typical saving versus dealerships is commonly very vital and our garages are sometimes rather more handy. My message to motorists is straightforward. No matter you drive, whether or not it’s a Ford or a Ferrari, you may have a selection about the place you get your automobile serviced. Vendor, or No Vendor.”

Sue Robinson, chief government of the Nationwide Franchised Sellers Affiliation (NFDA), stated: “Selecting to carry your automobile to a franchised supplier for service or repairs presents a spread of benefits. Franchised sellers supply distinctive ranges of professionalism and customer support, devoted to making sure a seamless and hassle-free expertise all through the complete course of.

“Because the automotive panorama shifts in direction of electrification, fashionable automobiles are geared up with advanced expertise and security measures which franchised sellers are nicely ready for with extremely expert technicians guaranteeing service that adheres to producer requirements, utilizing available elements on the shelf.”