Car Repairs - why do 1 in 5 motorists ignore them?

Ignoring car repairs - get a warranty
  • One in five UK drivers admit not repairing a vehicle they know to be faulty because they can’t afford repair cost
  • This figure rises to 25% of motorists below 55 years old
  • Avoidance drops to 8.5% amongst over 55s 
  • Average UK car repair cost is £298
  • Rising inflation means motorists are compromising car maintenance 
  • motoreasy removes the hassle and stress of car maintenance and ownership
motoreasy car repair stats infographic Share our easy infographic!

Nearly one in five* UK motorists admit to driving their car despite knowing it needs repairs because they can’t afford the bill.

This comes at a time when the Government is considering extending the start of MoT testing – which checks the road legality of every vehicle – from three-year-old cars to vehicles aged four years.

According to motoreasy, which manages car maintenance and repairs on behalf of the motorist, nearly 25%** of under 55s admit to ignoring necessary repair work on their vehicles. In comparison, that figure falls to just 8.5% from over 55s.

The findings come as annual inflation, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index, reached 1.8% in January – its highest level since 2014.

Men are more inclined to dodge necessary car repairs than women, with 19.5% and 17.3% respectively claiming to have driven cars carrying faults like worn brake pads and discs or broken suspension springs and shock absorbers. Warning lights – especially when intermittent – are frequently ignored, leading to costly repairs.

Drivers in the North West (14.8%) and East Midlands (15%) are least likely to skip repairs, where as those surveyed in Scotland (22.8%) were most prone to avoiding repairs because of the cost. When questioned, London (18%) motorists reflected the national average of 18.8%. 

“Drivers are clearly prioritising other commitments if faults occur between annual MoT tests,” said Duncan McClure Fisher of motoreasy. “Naturally, that comes with a risk – especially if it relates to safety-critical items like brakes, steering, power and visibility.

“That is a risk to all road users, not just the faulty vehicle and its occupants.”

motoreasy’s concierge-like service provides customers with their own personal technician, who liaises with garages and negotiates lower prices for parts and labour on their behalf.

Feel free to share our infographic on this topic opposite!

 

Car repair failures - how does your area compare? Car repairs ignored - how does your region compare?

To protect your pocket against car failures and repair costs get a warranty quote

 

Need a repair? Book at an approved garage

 

motoreasy takes the stress and hassle out of car maintenance and ownership for the motorist. As the trusted home of car maintenance and ownership, motoreasy provides independently-approved, nationwide MOT and servicing, repairs, market-leading warranty protection, breakdown cover, GAP insurance plus much more.

Story Notes

*based on a survey of 2,000 drivers (2,000 responses). Actual figure 18.35%.

**Actual figure 24.72%.

 

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