“Why go to a dealer for car accessories when you can get them cheaper elsewhere?” If you subscribe to this school of thought you’re missing the point. You’ll always find cheaper accessories somewhere, but only if you’re prepared to compromise on quality and, usually, safety. Even something as innocent as floor mats can be dangerous if they foul the pedals, as they don’t fit the contours of the foot well properly.
One morning I was waiting for fuel and I spied a family in a Vauxhall Vectra estate towing a caravan, obviously in happy holiday mood. Someone had attempted to fit those stick-on touring converters on the headlamps but, as with so many modern cars, the glass had no pattern so they’d been unable to position them correctly. Vauxhall’s Continental touring protectors have an integrated beam adjuster, designed to divert the beam with minimum loss of light. They cost £29 – not that pricey for something safe and legal.
I also spotted (it was a long queue!) a car with a dog protected by an off-the-peg dog guard that was just resting against the back seat. In the event of heavy braking, or impact, the dog would be flung forward but the suction pads on the dog guard would offer little protection. Vauxhall dog guards are tailor-made for each estate model and use the substantial fitting points in the roof and on the floor within the vehicle to provide a rigid restraint, which prevents passengers and pets from colliding.
Which brings me back to dealers – particularly Vauxhall ones. See them as the one-stop shop. The next time your car is in for a routine service, just tell them you have a caravan, a dog or children, or need special carriers or extra security, and let them recommend the right products to suit both your car and your specific needs.