Car Repairs

Electric cars aren’t the same niche product that they used to be. These days, more drivers are making the switch, and garages are seeing a steady increase in electric car repairs and servicing. It’s true that these vehicles often come with lower running costs and fewer moving parts, but they also have a new, unique set of challenges when it comes to maintenance and repair.

If you’re offering garage services to electric cars, you might need specialist equipment or the ability to manage high-voltage risks, for example. Either way, getting to grips with electric car maintenance is more important than ever in a changing automotive landscape.

High-Voltage Systems and New Safety Risks

Unlike traditional vehicles, electric cars run on high-voltage battery packs, which are often between 400 and 800 volts. That’s more than enough to be lethal if it’s handled incorrectly. Mechanics need the right training if they’re going to be expected to work on these systems safely. It’s not just about avoiding electrocution, either; damage to a high-voltage battery can cause thermal runaway, which can be a fire hazard.

How can you reduce the risks?

First and foremost, garages need to invest in proper safety equipment – a standard set of spanners won’t cut it. This will likely include insulated tools, gloves, and voltage testers. On top of that, mechanics need to know how to shut down the system safely before they get to carrying out any work.

Battery Degradation and Expensive Replacements

Naturally, batteries are the most expensive component of an electric car. Through use and over time, though, they start to degrade, which can mean reduced range and performance for the driver. A typical battery is designed to last over 100,000 miles, but extreme temperatures, rapid charging, and deep discharges can speed up wear.

Replacing a battery pack is one of the most expensive electric car repairs. A new battery can cost thousands of pounds, making it a difficult decision for a lot of electric car owners. In some cases, reconditioning or replacing individual battery modules might be an option, but that comes with its own complications as it usually requires specialist knowledge and equipment.

Garages offering electric car maintenance will need to assess battery health using diagnostic tools. This isn’t the same as checking a standard car battery. It can quite often involve a detailed analysis of charge cycles, voltage levels, and cell temperatures.

Flexible payment options can make this easier for your customers.

Garage services that are prohibitively expensive put customers in a difficult position. Offering a flexible finance solution can help to make replacing an electric car’s battery more manageable and reduce the chances that a customer will abandon their electric car repair altogether.

Specialist Parts Can Lead to Limited Availability

One of the biggest challenges for garage services is getting hold of the right parts. In lots of cases, electric car components are harder to get your hands on than petrol or diesel options. Motors, inverters, and battery management systems are quite often manufacturer-specific, so parts have to be sourced directly from the carmaker.

Even common wear-and-tear items aren’t always straightforward.

Of course, electric cars don’t have exhausts, fuel pumps, or clutches to replace, but they still need brake pads, tyres, and suspension components. That said, these parts often differ from those on petrol and diesel cars. Regenerative braking means brake pads wear down less, but when they do need replacing, they may require specific parts.

If you run a repair centre, working with a reliable supplier who can source specialist electric car parts quickly is crucial. Otherwise, repair times can be much longer than for traditional cars.

Advanced Diagnostics and Software Updates

Electric cars are packed with electronics like battery management systems, regenerative braking, and thermal control. Having everything controlled by software is great for efficiency and driver experience, but it does mean that diagnosing faults isn’t as simple as plugging in an OBD2 scanner.

Some manufacturers use proprietary systems, which means that only authorised garages can access diagnostic data. Others require mechanics to complete brand-specific training before they can work on certain models.

Software updates are another consideration.

Lots of electric cars get over-the-air (OTA) updates- these bring fixes and improvements that are rolled out remotely. Not every issue can be solved this way, though, and if a vehicle needs a manual update or a recalibration after a repair, the garage needs to have the right tools and know-how to handle it.

Want to Make Electric Car Maintenance More Affordable for Your Customers?

Payment Assist helps you to offer flexible payment options to those customers seeking electric car repairs and servicing. Give drivers the option to spread the cost of repairs, making it easier to manage unexpected bills.

Payment Assist offers interest-free payment plans, helping you to secure more work while giving your clientele a practical way to afford essential repairs. It’s a simple, effective way to keep business moving.

Want to know more? Sign up today to see how Payment Assist can support your garage, or get in touch with us for a more detailed conversation.

When a car is damaged, deciding whether to repair it or replace it can be a tricky choice for many drivers. A recent survey has shed some light on the tipping point at which motorists might decide not to repair their damaged cars and why they might replace them instead. If you run a garage or repair centre, getting a handle on this tipping point and offering flexible finance options can help to increase repair rates. That means your customers can get their cars back on the road rather than feeling forced into an expensive write-off.

Car Repairs Can Be a Real Financial Struggle.

It’s no surprise that the rising cost of car repairs leads people to toy with fixing versus replacing a damaged car. When something major like engine repairs, wheel repairs, or bodywork is needed, a lot of drivers face that same dilemma. The survey – conducted by CarGurus – interviewed 1,000 motorists across the UK.

It found that an unexpected repair bill of £772 is one of the three breaking points that prompt drivers to consider their car a write-off, and look for a new vehicle. Once repair costs approach or exceed this amount, the financial burden can feel overwhelming, especially for those with tight budgets. This explains why nearly three-quarters (72%) of participants in the study said they’d feel stressed at the thought of having to spend money on unplanned car repairs.

Why Do Drivers Go for a Replacement Over a Repair?

There isn’t any single answer to this question, but it seems that the decision to replace a car instead of repairing it stems either from financial limitations or the perceived value of the vehicle. For example, if a car is worth £3,000 and the damage requires £2,500 worth of repairs, it’s easy to understand how this might be seen as a bad investment. They might believe that spending nearly the car’s worth on repairs doesn’t make sense, especially if it’s an older car that might need more repairs in the future.

Convenience could be another key factor.

The cost and hassle of repairs – and the fear of recurring issues – can make buying a new car seem like an easier and more financially sensible option. This is exacerbated by the fact that many new and second-hand dealerships offer finance options to make accessing a new car easier. Immediate financial pressures of car repairs can make it feel difficult or impossible to spend a large, upfront sum on car repairs.

That’s Where Flexible Finance Options Can Help

Flexible finance solutions can help motorists take the necessary steps to repair their damaged cars without having to face the full financial burden upfront. They provide a way to spread the cost of repairs over a manageable period, which makes paying for big jobs like engine repairs, bodywork, or wheel repairs much more feasible.

For lots of customers, this is a massive difference.

The ability to break down the cost of car repairs into smaller, more affordable payments might be the deciding factor between repair and replacement. If you offer interest-free, straightforward payment plans, you can ease the financial strain of the repairs and make it easier for drivers to choose fixing their car over scrapping it and getting a new one.

Why It’s Important to Understand the Tipping Point

If you own a repair centre or garage, you’ve got to get a handle on your customers’ tipping point when it comes to the cost of repairs. This is mainly because it helps you tailor your services and makes them more accessible, but there are other brilliant advantages, too.

Flexible finance could improve retention and trust.

Across sectors, we know that the outlook of customers changes when they feel valued and seen. You can promote a real sense of loyalty by showing your customers that you take their concerns seriously and that you identify with their real-life situations. This boosts confidence both in the repair process and the people who provide it.

Looking for a Flexible Finance Partner?

When your customers are faced with high costs, Payment Assist can help you to help them. Our service helps to break down substantial repair fees into manageable, interest-free monthly payments. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, your customers gain confidence, trust, and a sense of control over their finances.

With Payment Assist, you can:

Offer Interest-Free Payments: Customers pay no additional charges.
Maintain a Simple Application Process: Quick, transparent steps.
Provide Customisable Plans: Tailor instalments to each customer’s circumstances.
Promote Customer Retention: A supportive payment structure encourages repeat visits.

To find out more about how Payment Assist can support your business, get in touch with us today. Our team will be happy to help you.

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