Britain’s most expensive cup of tea?

Kwik-Fit thinks it might have found Britain’s most expensive cup of tea. And it’s not a motorway café, nor is at your local coffee house. And it’s even more expensive than taking afternoon tea for two at The Ritz. In fact Kwik-Fit believes that the most expensive cup of tea in Britain might well be found at your main car dealership.

The claim comes after a mystery shopping exercise by Kwik-Fit investigated main dealer servicing costs. And while motorists might be aware that they’ll pay a premium to have their car serviced at a main dealer, they might be unaware as to just how much.

For example a 2002 registered VW Golf 1.6S owner will pay an average of £125 more for a main dealer service than they would pay at their local Kwik-Fit. While an owner of a Renault Mégane Dynamique owner would pay a whopping £138 more - on average.

Service schedules at Kwik-Fit are very similar to that of a main dealer in that they still provide the same level of safety and care to your car. In fact, compared to Kwik-Fit’s offer, mystery shoppers concluded that a main dealer service often provides little more than a free cup of tea, vacuum and carwash as extra. And with a car valet to be found for under a tenner nowadays, Kwik-Fit warns that car owners could well be forking out over £100 for a cup of tea at their main dealer.

Despite its hugely competitive servicing prices Kwik-Fit has today pledged to knock an incredible 30% extra off the price of servicing Volkswagen car during February. An average interim service is from an amazing £55.30 and a full service a bargain from £97.30.

The news could come as great relief to the 1.6million British VW owners who may be feeling the pinch after Christmas. Perhaps more so this year than ever before, as rising petrol and heating bills take their toll on our wallets, not to mention the credit crunch.

David White, Kwik-Fit’s customer service director, commented:
“Motorists we've spoken to want great service at an affordable price and Kwik-Fit has spent time listening to and reflecting these demands. But many dealerships continue to charge high prices to their customers.”

He continued: “The main dealer price for servicing a nine year old Golf is around 10% of the value of the car! We hope that VW drivers take advantage of our great February offer where we’re reducing servicing prices by a further 30%.”

Anyone wishing to book a service can do so online at www.kwik-fit.com and benefit from a further £5 discount or by calling 0800-222-111.