EU proposals to give car manufacturers a monopoly on selling spare parts have been overturned by the European Parliament. The Council of Ministers wanted to stop independent companies supplying parts - unless the member country they were trading in adopted its own 'repair clause' allowing free trade.

However, MEPs have now voted in favour of an amendment which allows independents to remain in the market place and the Council of Ministers must now reconsider its stand. Bodyshop trade organisations had always believed that Britain would adopt its own 'repair clause', carrying on the country's existing liberal rules on sale of independent parts. Campaigners such as the RAC feared a monopoly situation - even if only in mainland Europe - would drive up repair costs and insurance premiums.