Average workshop labour rate steadies at £74

The UK’s average labour rate for franchised and independent workshops is £74.33, according to Warranty Direct’s annual labour rates study.

The latest survey shows labour rates on a par with 2013, when they averaged £74.70, and lower than 2012 when they averaged £82.86.

The price gap between franchised and independent workshops non-franchised remained virtually unchanged year on year with main dealers charging an average rate of £92.11 and independents charging £63.56, a difference of 44.9% (2013: +44.22%).

Warranty Direct managing director, David Gerrans attributed this to the increasing popularity of “dearer fast-fits and auto centres that seem to be taking business away from less expensive independents, as well as the advent of manufacturer schemes that offer discounts for older cars and help keep the overall franchised rate down”.

This year’s research also found the highest hourly rate charged was £215 by a franchised site in West London, a new high for the 11 years of the study. Two other garages were billing at more than £200 an hour.

The South East dominated the top 10 dearest regions, with Surrey and Middlesex taking second and third positions. While the North of England and Scotland made up the majority of the least expensive places to fix your car, with County Antrim in Northern Ireland and Cornwall completing the most frugal 10.

Top 10 most expensive regions labour rates
(franchised and non-franchised combined)

Top 10 least expensive regions for garage labour rates
(franchised and non-franchised combined)

Price difference between non-franchised and franchised (2006-2014)

Source: Warranty Direct