I HAVE noticed that service charges for the same car can vary a lot from one garage to another.

In fact, from around £80 to more than £200. This includes oil and filter, air filter, spark plugs, brake fluid and anti freeze.

The job may take roughly about an hour-and-a-half, unless the brake pads need to be changed.

I don't think the charges should vary more than 20 to at the most, 30 per cent. The wages for mechanics are almost exactly the same from one garage to another and costs don't differ so much either - at least not to justify a difference of 100 per cent or more.

If more car owners learnt how to service their own cars, the competition would be keener for the remaining customers and the price would have to come down.

R LOESAUS, Malvern.