Fleet managers should enjoy a greater choice of garages in which to repair their cars after the European Commission ordered DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, GM and Fiat to provide technical repair information to all independent garages in the EU.

Brussels said it hoped the cost of repairs for cars from these manufacturers would plunge, because independent repairers can be 50% cheaper than authorised garages.

Furthermore, said a commission note, it would solve the problem of repairs being carried out without the right technical information, which could lead to “vehicles being driven in an unsafe condition, and add to air pollution and wasted fuel”.