Mechanical labour costs have risen again according to a new survey as some motorists claim to have been charged up to £190 an hour.

While labour costs are high for mechanical repair work, motorists can save money by acquiring cheap car parts online to help reduce the overall bill.

The national average cost of garage labour has risen by 5.81 percent to cost on average £74.82 over the past year the annual Warranty Direct Labour Rates Survey revealed.

Franchised dealers were also found to be nearly 40 percent more expensive than their independent competitors.

Independent mechanics now charge on average £55.90 compared to £52.69 in 2009 while the labour rate for franchised dealers rose from £87.19 to £90.59.

“The once relentless upward march of labour rates appears to have started again after a slight dip last year,” said Duncan McClure Fisher, Warranty Direct spokesperson.

“To avoid paying above paying above inflationary rises, motorists need to shop around, and not be afraid to push their preferred repairer to charge them less.”

However, despite the national rise some regions have experienced falls as prices of mechanical work has fallen by 2.5 percent while the north showed the biggest drops.

Northumberland and Lanarkshire mechanics were found to have reduced their hourly rate by 12.7 percent and 12.6 percent respectively.

Surrey meanwhile is the most expensive place to get repair work done on your vehicle in the UK as the average cost per hour equated to £87.59, while the highest hourly rate was found in a franchised dealer in Hertfordshire where they charged £190.35.

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