The cost of spares

Sir,
I recently required a starter motor for a 1967 Fiat 600D and was flabbergasted when the dealer’s invoice showed one starter motor priced at £14.85. I took this up with Fiat (England) Ltd. and they advised as follows: “We regret that this starter motor is now only supplied as a new unit under Pt. No. 4060919 priced at £14.85.”

The price of an exchange starter motor for a Mini is, I am told, £6.82. It would appear that not only food is more expensive in the Common Market.

D.J. Ashford.
Meadfoot Cross.