A Third Of Female Drivers Think Garages Rip Them Off Because Of Gender
Almost a third of female motorists (32%) feel that a garage has overcharged them for work done to their car purely because they are a woman, according to new research by MotorEasy.
Maintenance work by garages was the biggest culprit, with almost half (47%) claiming they believe they have been overcharged before, but not necessarily because of their gender.
But nearly one in three (31%) women drivers have stopped using a garage because they felt they were being taken advantage of.
31% women drivers have stopped using a garage because they felt they were being ripped offWhich Women Feel Most Vulnerable?
The answer is younger women drivers (20-25 year olds), with over a third (33.8%) feeling that a technician has charged them over the odds, but even a quarter of the most experienced drivers (56-70 year olds) have the same fear.
MotorEasy chief executive, Duncan McClure Fisher, said: “These days, people are generally busier than ever with modern life. Increasingly, motorists don’t have time to deal with the dull car maintenance jobs like arranging MOTs or organising car repairs.
“Our research shows that this is compounded for female motorists, who also feel fearful of entering negotiations with garages in case they get overcharged or charged for work that is not actually needed.
“The problem is even worse for young drivers, who don’t know as much about cars and are, therefore, even more open to being taken advantage of.”
Where Is The Problem Worst?
Females aged 26-35 are most likely to jump ship from a garage because they feel they’ve been taken advantage of (38%), as well as nearly half of ladies in the East Midlands.
Meanwhile, women in Northern Ireland are the most concerned that they have paid too much for repairs, with more than two in five (42%) reporting concerns.
Where Can You Turn For Help?
MotorEasy’s concierge-like service provides customers with their own personal technician, who liaises with garages and negotiates lower prices for parts and labour on their behalf.
We’ve put together a handy hub with the information needed to deal with garages more effectively. We’ll also be highlighting industry issues and bad habits while proposing ways to resolve them for motorists.
