In a brand new section of its ‘Seller or No Seller’ advertising and marketing 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 battle with franchised seller networks by claiming drivers are paying “over the chances” 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 they’d 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 any workshop that may meet the automobile producer’s particular service necessities and use matching high quality components.

Nearly 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 automobile upkeep sector following its acquisitions of Common Tyre and Autocare, Nationwide Tyres and Autocare and Lodge Tyre, and it now has 650 workshops, virtually 1,800 ‘service places’ (together with its cellular service vans) and a mean 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 virtually £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 seller for servicing if they want, however it’s vital they achieve this out of selection, not as a result of they imagine they’re beneath an obligation,” mentioned Graham Stapleton, chief government of Halfords. “Our analysis reveals there may be a substantial amount of confusion, and it probably begins with what persons are instructed on the forecourt.

“Halfords will all the time provide a top quality service by absolutely certified technicians at an important value. The typical saving versus dealerships is usually very vital and our garages are sometimes far more handy. My message to motorists is straightforward. No matter you drive, whether or not it’s a Ford or a Ferrari, you’ve gotten a selection about the place you get your automobile serviced. Seller, or No Seller.”

Sue Robinson, chief government of the Nationwide Franchised Sellers Affiliation (NFDA), mentioned: “Selecting to convey your automobile to a franchised seller for service or repairs provides a variety of benefits. Franchised sellers provide distinctive ranges of professionalism and customer support, devoted to making sure a seamless and hassle-free expertise all through your complete course of.

“Because the automotive panorama shifts in the direction of electrification, trendy autos are outfitted with advanced know-how and security measures which franchised sellers are properly ready for with extremely expert technicians guaranteeing service that adheres to producer requirements, utilizing available components on the shelf.”