Car Clinic: How do I know if I am being ripped off by my car dealer?

Q. Our dealer has quoted £293 to replace a fog light on our Honda Jazz ­— more than the replacement glass in our french doors. Are we being ripped off?

RH, Swaffham, Norfolk

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A. A dealer’s profit on selling a car is thin. Parts are one way of boosting profitability. Prices are set by the dealer, so it pays to shop around. An independent garage will almost certainly be cheaper. You could source the part yourself (we found your fog light for less than £60 online). But remember, if you need a garage to fit it, you will have to pay for the labour.

TIM’LL FIX IT
Tim Shallcross used to train AA patrols to fix cars. Now he advises the Institute of Advanced Motoring — read more from Tim here.

GOT A PROBLEM?
Email your question to carclinic@sunday-times.co.uk or write to Car Clinic, Driving, The Sunday Times, 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF, with a daytime phone number, your address and as much detail about your car as possible. We can’t reply in person, so don’t send original documents or SAEs. Advice is given without legal responsibility.

Voice your car grievances in our new feature, The Fixer, where we delve into faults and problems common to a number of readers. Click to read the first in the series.