Why some garages have the X Factor

New research reveals what motivates motorists to choose one garage over another.

And surprise, surprise, reputation drives more than half of garage bookings (54%), according to a nationwide survey by BookMyGarage.com. 

However, UK motorists fear being cheated more than anything else when they book a garage, with three quarters (74%) stating that being oversold or facing hidden costs were their main worries.

Financial issues caused particular unease in the North East, where six in 10 (57%) were concerned about being oversold and more than a quarter (28%) were worried about hidden costs.

A fixed-price promise was very important to a quarter of participants (26%), especially in the South East where one in three (33%) said it was critical. However in Yorkshire, where reputation was slightly higher than the national average at 57%, only 16% defined a fixed price promise as the deciding factor in choosing a new garage.

Being stranded without a car is every motorist’s fear so garages offering collection and delivery came out on top according to almost half (46%) of the UK sample.

A drop off service rated well in the overall survey, with 32% selecting this option, making a total of 78% of respondents focusing on logistics of the service as the defining factor when making a booking.

Finally, the survey also suggests that convenient methods of booking are important too. The top three methods of booking are:

• Telephone 51%
• In person, at the garage 31%
• Online 18%

“It’s great to see that local garages came out as the preferred option for motorists looking for a reliable and reputable service,” said Karen Rotberg, director of BookMyGarage.com.

“It has also highlighted that there is great scope for these garages to use a booking service such as BookMyGarage.com. This service can encourage both new and existing customers to book online at any time of the day or night.”