Unforeseen Car Repair Bills Are Costing Brits A Fortune
Research has revealed that British drivers are facing costly, unforeseen car repair bills. However, many of them can be avoided via simple maintenance work…
Unforeseen Repair Bills
The average British driver is forking out £559 a year on unexpected repair bills. That’s according to a survey conducted by Holts. Involving 2,000 drivers, it’s shed light on how many motorists are paying the price for neglecting general servicing and maintenance. According to the survey, a third of respondents were facing unexpected expense precisely because they were neglecting basic maintenance. But there are regional discrepancies in terms of what we spend throughout the country. Not too surprisingly, drivers in London fork out the most on their cars, parting ways with £721 on potentially avoidable repairs. Conversely, drivers in Leeds burn through the least amount of cash, spending £476 annually.
Over the last year alone, drivers in the UK have spent an almost incomprehensible £21 billion on keeping their cars in working order. The most common faults include overheated engines, problems with the clutch and (perhaps surprisingly) smashed windscreens. But it’s not just a question of finance. Holts also asked respondents to name events they’d missed as a result of a breakdown. Topping the list were, depressingly, important baby-related events, job interviews, birthdays and dates. In other words, there are social as well as financial costs for neglecting the maintenance of our vehicles.
‘Spending Excessively’
Tavia Spencer, brand manager at Holts, believes British drivers are spending excessively on their motors. She said, “our research highlights that drivers are spending excessively when it comes to repairs on the car, especially when many of these can be fixed at home or by the road side. You often don’t need to be a fully trained mechanic or savvy under the bonnet, there are simple solutions available which will reduce call-outs and lost time”. She argued that a little confidence when it comes to maintenance can go a long way. She said, “if drivers were more confident doing basic repairs on their cars, the money saved could be spent on more fun activities”.
That’s just the point. Whilst maintenance can seem like a chore, it’s nothing next to time lost during a breakdown; or hovering around a garage. Simply by topping up our car’s fluids, ensuring our tyres have enough tread and pressure and regular services can help avoid enormous bills and wasted time. You don’t have to be a motoring expert, you just have to know a little bit about your car; your owner’s guide will tell you everything you need to know, too!
10 Ways You Can Decisively Reduce Your Motoring Costs – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/10-ways-you-can-decisively-reduce-your-motoring-costs/
Brexit Deal: Nissan’s Sunderland Plant Will Remain Open – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/brexit-deal-nissans-sunderland-plant-will-remain-open/
