MOT testing fee scrapped for these Halfords customers due to coronavirus warnings

MOT fees are usually only refunded to customers if notice about not attending an appointment is given within ten working days. Although the group has decided to rip up the rulebook to help those most affected by the illness. 

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Halfords Autocentres has said customers will not be charged the £35 rebooking fee if motorists are in self-isolation. 

Halfords say the move was their way to help keep the nation moving during the crisis. 

However, road users are warned each case would be looked at separately and did not offer reductions for every single motorist who needs to rebook their appointments. 

Andy Randall, Halfords Autocentres Managing Director says: “We are monitoring the potential impact of the coronavirus and want to do as much as possible to help keep the nation moving at this critical time. 

“We’re looking at each situation on a case-by-case basis and pledging to waive the booking fee for anyone who misses their MOT appointment because of coronavirus.”

Halfords technicians are also offering a garage on wheels service for those that are stuck at home but could still need access to a car. 

Mechanics are offering to do repair and tyre fitting services outside customers homes to prevent vulnerable motorists heading to a garage. 

Halfords is one of the first UK offers to come out directly as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. 

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However, car makers in the US have begun to introduce incentive programs to attract new customers. 

Hyundai and Ford are some of the first to offer deals where motorists can purchase a new car without the fear of not paying back finance deals. 

Hyundai have said their programme would provide six months of payments to new buyers if they lose their jobs due to the outbreak. 

Payment deferral schemes have also been set up to ensure new buyers are not put off by the Covid-19 outbreak. 

The news comes after capital experts warned the virus could slash US car production by as much as 16 percent as some manufacturers’ shares plummeted between 30 and 40 percent. 

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How will coronavirus affect the car market? 

The virus is predicted to dramatically affect the UK and global car markets as manufacturers are put under pressure.

Car firms across Europe have been forced to close down factories due to the outbreak while many have raised concerns over a lack of parts from China. 

The PSA Group, who owns UK car giant Vauxhall, has already announced it was closing its UK plants this week. 

PSA have also confirmed factories across Europe would also close until the end of March. 

Fiat has also halted production at some of its European factories as bosses wait to see how the situation evolves. 

Luxury car brand Ferrari has also been forced to halt production at their Maranello headquarters which are based inside the former Italian red zone. 

The Chinese car market was badly affected by the outbreak of the virus and the same consequences could soon be seen across Europe. 

Data from the China Passenger Car Association revealed sales of new vehicles were down a staggering 96 percent in the first week of February., 

Sales were down around 92 percent across the first half of the month as customers stayed away from dealers and delayed purchases. 

SMMT data shows new car registrations in the UK were down 2.9 percent in February although this was before the virus took hold.

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