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Electrical faults more frequent and expensive in today’s tech-laden cars

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Author: | Updated: 17 Mar 2014 12:34

The number of electrical faults on cars older than three years has increased by 66% in the last five years with average repair costs rocketing by almost a third.

Increasingly advanced technology has found its way into new cars over recent years with sensors for automatic headlights, rainwipers, and parking.

But data from Warranty Direct has revealed electrical faults are now the most common problem with nearly one in four (23%) needing a repair every year.

The average cost of electrical failures also jumped by 32% between 2008 and 2013 to £300, with the most severe electrical repair reaching up to £2,804.

Warranty Direct’s data has found that relays and alternators are the most likely components to break with more modern features like parking sensors are typically amongst the many faults reported.

This Renault Clio from 2010 is more likely to develop an electrical fault than any other badged vehicle, according to Warranty Direct

Japanese reliability

Renault was deemed to be the least reliable brand for its electric with the average repair costing £264.33, with the next most frequent being Bentley, Porsche and Saab.

In contrast, eight of the ten most reliable were Japanese brands with Subaru topping the list, followed by second place Mitsubishi, Daihatsu, Suzuki, Mazda, Lexus, Toyota, and Nissan.

Alfa Romeo and Jeep, two brands not usually known for their reliability, were the only two non-Japanese names in that list.

Warranty Direct managing director, David Gerrans, said automotive innovations improve the performance and safety of cars but they also have a knock-on effect on how often they fail and how much it costs to repair them.

He commented: “Workshops now need advanced diagnostic tools to safely and effectively fix cars and, in some cases, it appears only franchised dealers can access some of the systems on newer cars, meaning that the customer is hit with a higher labour rate bill.”

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