Young drivers putting off car repairs in bid to save money

Gareth Herincx

2 days ago
Auto News

Car maintenance

More than a third of drivers aged 17 to 24 (37%) are putting off necessary repairs to their vehicles in an attempt to cut their outgoings as the cost-of-living crisis bites< according to new research.

The 2022 RAC Report on Motoring also found nearly a fifth of young people (16%) say they are delaying getting major repairs made – which might include work such as replacing a handbrake or cracked windscreen.

However, a huge 28% are putting off other repairs, which include fixing minor oil leaks or replacing brake discs.

What’s more, young drivers are more than twice as likely (37%) as average (14%) to say they have deliberately delayed getting any repair work completed, with those who drive cars over 10 years of age (19%) and who live in town or city centre areas (25%) also significantly more likely to put work off.

Perhaps surprisingly, drivers of all ages are more inclined to skip repairs in a bid to save money than they are to either reduce how often they get their vehicles serviced or switch to a cheaper insurer.

Just one-in-10 of all drivers (9%) say they are servicing their vehicles less frequently and 13% say they have got a cheaper insurance policy, compared to 14% who have put off getting repairs done.

“Without question, putting off vehicle repairs or skipping routine servicing are both false economies, but these figures show in all-too-stark terms just how many drivers, especially younger ones, feel they have to do this to lower their spending in the face of rising prices,” said RAC spokesman Rod Dennis.

“The fact over a third of young drivers are deliberately delaying getting their vehicles fixed to cut costs is actually a harbinger of future unwelcome – and possibly far larger – garage bills.

“What’s more, not getting work to a car done means the chances of it letting a driver down shoots up, making it potentially less safe.

“And as the average age of cars on our roads is getting older due to fewer people trading up to new cars, it looks as though many of them will also be in a poorer overall state of repair which is bad news for everyone using the roads.”

Check Also


Polestar 3 SUV

Wraps come off the all-new Polestar 3 SUV

Swedish EV maker Polestar has unveiled its first SUV – a car which is expected …

Young drivers putting brakes on car maintenance

Young driver - IAM RoadSmart

New research claims that more than three-quarters of motorists aged 18-34 have delayed key vehicle checks to save money.

As drivers battle the cost of living crisis, data commissioned by the UK’s leading independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, also shows almost a third (28%) of younger drivers have held off their annual car service and 30% have put off changing their oil.

Key tyre checks have also been put on hold, with 30% of younger drivers surveyed also admitting putting off fixing a puncture, and 28% delaying changing tyres with low tread.

But it’s not just younger drivers who are making tough choices on car upkeep. The data also found that 15% of all drivers, of all ages, said their annual car service is on the backburner thanks to the rise in living costs, with 11% avoiding paying out for necessary tyre changes.

Which of the following repairs/improvements have you put off/delayed making to your car as a result of the cost-of-living crisis?
Total Total (all ages) 18-34
Service 15% 28%
Tyre change, eg replacing a tyre with low tread 11% 28%
Tyre repair, eg fixing a puncture 7% 22%
Oil change 9% 30%
None of these 61% 21%

“This study shows that drivers are already making difficult choices about what they can and cannot afford, which could negatively impact the environment, their safety and the safety of other road users.” said Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart.

“Servicing doesn’t just look good in a log book, it’s there for a reason, and can pick up a range of issues which could present safety risks to drivers, if not spotted.

“It also ensures that your car’s engine is running as efficiently as possible, so ignoring servicing guidelines could cost you more in the long run in repairs or increased fuel consumption.

“Likewise, tyre health has a hugely important role to play in car and road safety. Tyres with low-tread depth have less road grip, and might be illegal, so it is of concern that motorists are sadly having to put off these vital repairs.

“There is no doubt that as living costs rise, motorists are feeling the squeeze, but we urge drivers to consider the safety implications of avoiding vital repairs, especially any which may be a legal requirement and could lead to more expensive costs down the line – or worse, risking their lives or other road users. Key behaviour changes, such as driving more economically to reduce fuel consumption, can be a way to cut costs without cutting safety.”

Basic car maintenance defeats most motorists

Gareth Herincx

24 hours ago
Auto News

Car maintenance

Three in four drivers are not confident about performing even the most basic car maintenance, according to a new study.

Research by comparethemarket.com found that 76% of UK drivers admit there are no car maintenance tasks they feel confident conducting themselves

Changing a tyre (27%), checking brake level fluid (21%), and changing oil (24%) are the car maintenance tasks Brits feel the least confident performing themselves

Rank Task Percentage  Number of UK drivers who don’t feel confident carrying out the task 
1 Changing a tyre 27% 11,392,317
2 Oil change 24% 10,131,507
3 Checking brake fluid levels 22% 8,993,503
4 Checking tyre tread depth 13% 5,440,312
5 Changing your windshield wipers 12% 5,264,290

Read the full study, including tips from mechanics on how to avoid being overcharged for a car maintenance service.

Check Also


Volvo C40 Recharge

Why running an EV makes financial sense

The annual running cost of an electric vehicle is now £579 cheaper on average than a …

What Should You Do If You Can’t Afford Car Repair Bills?

The automobile is among the most important inventions in human history. It allowed people to travel great distances in a shorter amount of time. Whether for work or leisure, it has a place in any home. 

But owning a car means taking care of it, too. That is why it pays to have insurance for the car. It can cover most maintenance costs and even those you do not expect. CarShield reviews, for example, show that they cover most of what the manufacturer warranties do.

But there are things that your insurance may not cover. Most of the time, damage caused by lack of maintenance would not be part of them. So, what happens if you suffer a breakdown and cannot pay for the repairs?

Repairing your car can get expensive, depending on the damage. 

Fortunately, you have other options aside from relying on your insurance.

Make Payments for Your Repair

One of the best solutions is to talk to your mechanic. They could offer you the chance to pay for the repair cost on an installment basis. That is especially true if you are a long-time customer—or better yet, if you know them personally.

It may not be as simple as that, though. Some auto shops could legally put a mechanic’s lien on your car. What that means is you have a limited time to pay the bill. If not, they can keep the car in their garage until you do so.

The time would depend on where you are. Some states offer 30 days, while others have 10 days. Do your due diligence and research this first.

Get a Second Opinion

It could be worth your time and energy to bring your car to another mechanic for a second opinion. Cars are very complicated machines. The diagnosis of one mechanic can differ from another. 

At the very least, a second opinion can highlight a more affordable solution. At most, the original diagnosis is wrong, and the problem is not as big as initially thought.

Use Your Credit Card

If that is the case, you may want to use your credit card instead. What happens is that you get to pay the mechanic in full while essentially acquiring a loan from your card provider.

Some auto shops offer installment payments covered by accredited credit cards. Be wary of the interest rates, though. 

Auto Repair Loan

Some companies offer a loan specifically for auto repairs. Providers can offer hundreds or thousands of dollars for you to get the car fixed. The best part is that getting the process started is easy.

All you need to do is visit the website of an auto loan provider. They will have you fill up a form with your details and the diagnosis of the car. They would then analyze your application.

The entire process takes just a few hours from application.

While convenient as that may sound, do not go for the first provider you find. Go to a few websites to read their guidelines. Better yet, call them to get a clear quote. Once you have at least three, compare their offers. That way, you get the best bang for your buck.

Look at the experience of other people with the companies you have researched. Visit review sites and ask people you know. That is a valuable insight to get for an informed decision on your part.

Look Into the Secondhand Market

What makes a car repair expensive at times is the cost of new parts. That usually involves ordering brand new parts from the manufacturer. There is an alternative, though.

The secondhand market is flooded with different parts that are usually still in perfect working condition. These can come from cars that were upgraded or have a different issue. Either way, they have a part you need at a lower cost.

The risk here is making sure the part works well. If you do not have a good working knowledge, you need to ask an expert for some help. Your mechanic is an option. Better yet, you can ask your family or friends if they are well-versed in finding used car parts.

Do-it-yourself

Do you have some mechanical skills? Going to the mechanic can be expensive because that is their job. They need to earn. But if you can do it yourself, you can save a lot of money.

Sell Your Car

If the auto repair is expensive, you may want to crunch the numbers instead. Is it worth repairing? Are you paying too much to face more future headaches? Or is it time to let go of the car and get a new one instead?

Sometimes, a repair does not make sense if the practicality is no longer there. Stop pumping money on an old car that breaks down a lot. In the long run, a new vehicle is cheaper.

Automotive Advice: 4 Tips For Car Care & Wheel Alignment

Guest Blogger

6 hours ago
Auto Blog

In order to make your vehicle’s performance smooth for the coming season along with better fuel efficiency, you need to look out for a few car maintenance hacks. These maintenance hacks can also be done by you saving you from extra repairing trips to the garage. Hence before heading out to work in the busiest season you would require a few check ups on your car. 

Have a look on Car Filters 

Driving continually without having an internal check on it can cause the car to decrease it’s efficiency with time. Similarly the car filters like air and oil filter, may be clogged if you haven’t checked them for sometime. A helpful advice is to clean these filters once in a while before you plan to go on a long route so that you do not face any car problem in between your peaceful journey. You can clean the air filter yourself by taking it out of the engine easily and using a portable vacuum to remove clogged debris. You can also wash the filter with the help of liquid detergent and warm water. 

Are the Wheels Aligned?

It is extremely important to see if your car wheels are properly aligned to avoid any car trouble while you are driving. You can get an idea if your wheel needs to be fixed for alignment by having a look on few signs like, 

  • Tyres tread getting uneven 
  • Steering wheels automatically leaned to either sides even if the vehicle tyres are parked in alignment 
  • Vibration of steering while you are driving 

Having your wheels aligned can also save you from losing control of your vehicle while you are driving that can result in uncontrollable road mishaps. Therefore, if you feel any of the above signs you should straight away take your vehicle to correct the alignment of your wheels. London has many professional wheel alignment centres and it is crucial that you don’t neglect this part of your car. You can also get wheel alignment service in London from Iverson Tyres.

Check your Tyres 

Having a look at the health of your tyres every month is important in order to achieve a smooth drive. Tyres play as important a part in car performance as the engine. In order to make sure your tyres are roadworthy you need to check on the adequate level of air pressure in the tyres to avoid unexpected tyre puncture. Another thing for tyres is looking at the tread depth , as driving your tyres for a longer period on different road terrain can diminish the tread depth causing damage to your tyres without you noticing them on time. For proper tread depth you need to check whether the depth is upto normal level that is 1.6mm for most of the tyres. 

Driving Style 

Lastly, having a good driving style impacts the car performance too. If you are a rash driver there are higher chances that your fuel efficiency will drop and you might damage any internal part of your car without getting notice of it. Your driving style can either increase your vehicle repairing cost or decrease it significantly. It is always better to go with a smooth driving style no matter how much of a hurry you are. 

Check Also



Your Guide to the Six Generations of the Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is the pillar of the American SUV. It’s hard to believe it …