Sénat bid to cut car repair bills

CHEAPER car repairs could be on the way as senators debate a bill to open up the market for after-market spares.

At the moment car manufacturers have a monopoly on the parts to be fitted to vehicles - lights, mirrors, bumpers, wings and panels - and also set the price. Without competition the cost can be up to 400% of what is available elsewhere in Europe.

Michel Vilatte, president of the International Federation of Automotive Aftermarket Distributors, told Europe 1 that prices for parts in Belgium were 30-50% cheaper - which could halve a repair bill.

He said there was a safety consideration with cars being driven with damaged wings and bumpers and with broken mirrors as people could not afford repairs.

Mr Vilatte gave the example of mirrors that cost €150 in France but only €60 or €70 elsewhere. He added "cut costs by 25-30% on a bill of €3,000 and that makes a €1,000 difference".

However, car manufacturers have opposed the change saying they want to defend French jobs.

Socialist senators have put forward the bill in the Socialist-dominated Senate as part of changes to consumer law.