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Protect your customers from rising vehicle repair costs

Car repair bills have been growing alongside everything else and this can impact your customers’ purchasing decisions. Some will steer away from certain makes and models to avoid a costlier trip to the garage when something goes wrong. Others may simply put off relatively minor repairs, but this can lead to bigger and more expensive problems down the road, when that engine warning light suddenly turns into a critical problem with the catalytic converter, for example.

In our previous blog, we looked at a poll from The Motor Ombudsman that found most service and repair businesses mentioned the rising cost of operations, including energy bills and spare parts, being a challenge in 2024. Over half were faced with having to raise prices to ensure continued business viability and profitability. But this can be a difficult for customers to accept during a cost-of-living crisis.

What can your car dealership do to support customers?

Regular car servicing and maintenance is a great way to reduce the chance of a costly broken or faulty part. Some of the most expensive parts to replace – from the alternator to the radiator, head gasket to timing belt, clutch to the exhaust, or for EV and hybrid drivers the battery – can be kept in good working order for longer with annual checks, helping to reduce the chances of an unexpected bill.

Your customers can plan for a regular service for their new vehicle and lock in the cost at today’s prices with a service plan from Car Care Plan. This will help spread the cost throughout the year and beat any inflationary rises between now and the renewal date.

A high-quality warranty can be another great way to offer your customers peace-of-mind when they’re purchasing their new vehicle or if they’re looking to keep the protection in place by extending their cover. A warranty backed by Car Care Plan will cover the cost of parts and labour should an unexpected fault occur. We even have a specific section in our standard warranty wording outlining protection for hybrid and EV components.

More ways to protect your customers from growing car repair bills

Warranty and service plan are great ways to protect customers from the rising cost of vehicle repairs and labour. But what about the less essential, but often equally costly repairs? Tyre and alloy damage, for example, or chipped paintwork. That is where specialist insurance products can help. Car Care Plan’s Defaqto five-star rated Tyre Insurance, Alloy Insurance, and Cosmetic Repair Insurance products can all help protect your customers’ pockets while keeping their vehicles looking their best for longer and helping to maintain their valuation.

By offering high-quality vehicle aftercare products to your customers, you can provide peace-of-mind and protection while prices continue to rise. There are also wide-ranging benefits for your business, including new routes to market, a consistent revenue stream, and a boost to satisfaction and retention rates. So, while your business may be faced with the challenge of rising costs, there is an opportunity to support customers and enhance your offering at the same time.