Almost six in 10 drivers believe they are overcharged when getting their car fixed – with nearly as many men feeling targeted as women

A survey of 2,000 car owners found 59 per cent of women believe they have been charged too much for work on their vehicle, along with 55 per cent of men.
However, 40 per cent of those women feel they were overcharged as they had very little car knowledge so couldn’t question the quote, while just 29 per cent of men said the same.
And a staggering 74 per cent of women feel they were quoted too much simply because of their gender, compared to just 12 per cent of men.
Younger adults also feel more targeted with overcharging and high quotes, with 74 per cent of 18-24-year-olds believing they have been caught out before, along with 72 per cent of 25-34-year-olds.
But just half of those aged 55-64 and 43 per cent of over 65s said the same.
The study, commissioned by car maintenance firm Fixter, found nearly three quarters of young adults think their lack of mechanical know-how makes them an easy target, while a savvy one in five discovered they had been overcharged after doing online research.
Other reasons for car owners being suspicious about quotes to fix their vehicle included friends or family having similar work done at a cheaper price and previously having a like-for-like job done at another garage themselves – for less money.
Three in 10 of those who thought they had been overcharged complained to friends and family after the incident, with just one in five complaining to the manager of the garage.
In extreme cases, a tenth said they had even taken legal action after they felt they had paid over the odds.
Limvirak Chea, co-founder and CEO at Fixter, said: “Getting your car fixed can often mean a big bill – which no one wants.
“So, it can make it even worse if you feel like you are being charged

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