Millions of drivers prepared to skip car servicing to save money

According to an exclusive survey for This is Money, millions of motorists could have missed at least one essential service on their car due to the continued tightness of finances.

Almost a third of motorists admit to being willing to bypass a scheduled service because of the cost crisis.

With government figures showing 32.1 million cars registered in Britain, the poll suggests nearly 10 million engines could be on the road without a scheduled service.

The survey of 2,000 motorists was conducted by Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) and has shown that the tightness of finances hits the youngest motorists hardest.

More than two out of five of 18- to 34-year-olds surveyed by VW’s finance arm said they are likely to skip vehicle maintenance to save money.

Older drivers appear to be more prepared: 62 percent of respondents over 75 say they can afford the cost of servicing the vehicle – compared to just 30 percent of drivers aged 24 to 34.

VWFS warns that drivers’ ability to pay for vehicle maintenance puts their safety and that of other road users at risk.

One in four drivers surveyed said they got behind the wheel knowing their vehicle needed essential maintenance.

However, for drivers under the age of 35, it rises to nearly half (46 percent), compared to a more cautious 10 percent among drivers over the age of 55.

With finances becoming increasingly limited, it is not surprising that there is a greater need to spread maintenance costs where possible.

Nearly two-thirds of drivers would be interested in installment payment for maintenance, especially those under the age of 35, with the poll showing that nearly four in five prefer this payment system.

Unfortunately, this is usually only offered by franchised dealers through extended maintenance plans – and these are generally more expensive than using an independent garage.

The poll found that a quarter of Britons have considered giving up driving altogether because of rising car costs

A quarter said they are considering not driving at all

For some drivers, the cost of maintaining and operating a car completely dissuades them from owning a vehicle, claims VWFS.

A quarter of drivers surveyed said they have considered giving up driving because they struggled to pay operating expenses during the cost-of-living crunch.

And a whopping 80 percent believe the crisis could deter other motorists from servicing their vehicles, with one in three more concerned about the safety of other vehicles on the road than they were 12 months ago.

Mike Todd, CEO of VWFS, said: ‘The cost of living crisis has made many drivers rethink the difficult decision of skipping essential vehicle maintenance and putting safety at risk, especially the younger drivers on the road.

“One in four has experienced costs that could have been avoided with regular maintenance.

“As an industry, we should support drivers throughout their vehicle ownership and operation. That means offering service options that meet different needs and budgets, ensuring safe vehicles for all drivers on the road.”

Luton drivers hardest hit by rising car costs

With inflation rising, used car prices, insurance and repair costs – as well as high fuel prices – there is no doubt that owning a vehicle is getting more expensive.

And a recent report calculated which parts of the UK are most affected by rising car costs.

The Compare the Market’s auto insurance team ran the numbers locally fuel prices, the average insurance cost by zip code, as well as the maximum MOT and annual car tax rates in different parts of the country to see how much they vary.

Looking at Britain’s 30 most populous locations outside London, the research shows that drivers in Luton are likely to pay the most when it comes to operating a vehicle.

In total, costs cost an average of £2,329, of which 42 per cent (£981) is spent on insurance premiums.

Drivers in Manchester also face high running costs of £2,309 per annum. Insurance premiums are naturally higher in major cities compared to smaller locations, with the average in Manchester being just £5 cheaper than those available to drivers in Luton.

Birmingham is third, with annual costs averaging £2,293 for all cars.