The Hong Kong Automobile Association has welcomed a proposal by seven car distributors to change their warranty policies in order to give vehicle owners more freedom in choosing where to get repairs and maintenance.

Under the plan, car owners will no longer risk having their warranties revoked for going to non-authorised repair centres for services or repairs.

The distributors of 17 car brands made the suggestion following a probe by the Competition Commission, which is now consulting the public on the matter.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme on Tuesday, the association's president, Ringo Lee, said the easing of restrictions would be good news for both motorists and smaller garages.

He said it would give car owners more flexibility and cheaper options, as repair services offered by independent garages are usually around 30 or 50 percent cheaper for Japanese and European cars respectively.

Meanwhile, transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick said he believes authorised repair centres may charge car owners less in future in order to remain competitive.

But the Liberal Party legislator warned car prices may go up as distributors try to make up for the reduced profit from repair services.