A new organisation, R2C (Right to Choose) has been established by independent aftermarket suppliers, distributors and repairers to create greater public awareness of the law and motorists’ rights to choose where to have their vehicles serviced without being penalised.

Many motorists with vehicles under manufacturers’ warranty are under the misguided impression that any car servicing, maintenance or repairs must be carried out by the authorised dealer otherwise their warranty is invalidated.

They are still unaware that, since June 2010, European competition rules which cover agreements between vehicle manufacturers and their authorised dealers, repairers and spare parts distributors, have confirmed important rights which help the motorist.

Under the rules, car manufacturers will no longer be able to make the warranty conditional on having the car serviced, or even simple things like oil changes, done in the dealers’ workshops.

The introduction of these rules means that motorists can shop around for the most competitive price and convenient location for servicing their cars.

Servicing and maintenance are calculated to represent around 40% of vehicle running costs over the whole life of the car.

Motorists using their ‘Right to Choose’ have found that there are more competitive prices available from Independent garages and workshops. This has helped go some way to offset the overall increase of motoring costs such as fuel and insurance.

Unsurprisingly, dealers choose not to tell car owners that their warranty is still intact wherever they choose to have their cars serviced*, but the ‘RIGHT TO CHOOSE’ campaign aims to put that right.

My car servicing fully support the Right 2 choose campaign and the continued work of the IAAF

A leading industry body has issued car service tips for winter.

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has said that car owners can’t afford to skip routine servicing in the winter months despite the financial squeeze households are under.

Owners need to ensure that maintenance work is carried out by qualified, accredited professionals. Modern day maintenance staff need a high level of technical knowledge and expertise because of the sophisticated electronic systems on the vehicles.

Motorists can ensure continued reliability, efficiency, safety and a high re-sale value if the vehicle is kept in good working order.

The IMI has also advised motorists to regularly monitor levels of engine coolant, antifreeze, oil and brake fluid. They also need to ensure that all lights and indicators are clean and working properly.

My Car Servicing is a network accredited repairers that offer quality car servicing at great prices. Get an online car servicing quote today and see how much you can save on main dealer car servicing.

A full car service history will add 26 per cent to the value of a car, according to a recent report.

With the average used car selling for £5,500, the findings indicate that a fully stamped service book could be worth up to £1,500 — over £10bn to the used car market annually.

The research also highlights that the gap between the perceived benefit of a franchised dealer over an independent servicing centre is closing with 32 per cent of drivers saying they place the same value on a service history from an independent garage as they do from a main dealer.

The survey was carried out by ICM, an independent research company, amongst a nationally representative sample of 2,026 UK adults.

Regular servicing can lower your breakdown bills during ownership and also offer a better return on your investment when it comes to upgrading to a newer model

Great savings can be made on servicing and MOT’s at My car servicing. Get a quote online today