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

Within the autumn Halfords picked a battle 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 automotive’s guarantee.

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

Virtually one in 5 drivers whose autos are 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 car 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 areas’ (together with its cell service vans) and a median buyer drive time of 20 minutes.

Within the newest section of the ‘Seller or No Seller’ marketing campaign, Halfords is focusing on the 6.8 million drivers whose autos 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, but it surely’s vital they accomplish that out of selection, not as a result of they imagine they’re beneath an obligation,” mentioned Graham Stapleton, chief govt of Halfords. “Our analysis reveals there’s quite a lot of confusion, and it doubtless begins with what persons are advised 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 usually very vital and our garages are sometimes far more handy. My message to motorists is easy. 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 car serviced. Seller, or No Seller.”

Sue Robinson, chief govt of the Nationwide Franchised Sellers Affiliation (NFDA), mentioned: “Selecting to carry your car to a franchised supplier for service or repairs provides 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 whole course of.

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