Millions of drivers prepared to skip car servicing to save money

Millions of drivers could have already skipped at least one essential service on their car due to the ongoing squeeze on finances, according to an exclusive survey for  This is Money.

Almost a third of motorists admit they are prepared to bypass a scheduled service due to the cost-of-living crisis. 

With government figures showing there are 32.1million cars registered in Britain, the poll suggests that almost 10million motors could be on the road having not undergone a scheduled maintenance check-up.

The survey of 2,000 drivers has been conducted by Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) and has found that the squeeze on finances is hitting youngest motorists hardest of all.

More than two in five of 18 to 34-year-olds quizzed by the finance arm of VW said they are likely to skip vehicle maintenance in order to save money.

Older drivers appear better prepared, with 62 per cent of respondents over 75 saying they would be able to afford the cost of a service on the vehicle – that compares to only 30 per cent of drivers aged 24 to 34.

VWFS warns that drivers’ ability to afford vehicle maintenance is compromising their safety and that of other road users. 

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

However, for hard up drivers under the age of 35, it rises to almost half (46 per cent), compared to a more cautious 10 per cent in motorists over 55.

With finances increasingly limited, it’s unsurprising to see that there’s more appetite for spreading out the cost of servicing where available.

Almost two thirds of drivers would be interested in paying for servicing in instalments, especially those under 35 where the poll found that almost four in five would prefer this payment system.

Unfortunately, this tends to only be offered by franchised dealers through extended servicing plans – and they are generally more expensive than using an independent garage. 

The poll found that a quarter of Britons have considered giving up driving entirely due to escalating car running costs 

A quarter said they are considering ditching driving altogether 

For some drivers, the cost of maintaining and running a car is deterring them from vehicle ownership entirely, VWFS claims. 

A quarter of drivers polled said they have considered giving up driving as a result of struggling to afford running costs during the cost-of-living squeeze.

And a huge 80 per cent believe the crisis may deter other motorists from maintaining the upkeep of their vehicle, with one in three more concerned about the safety of other vehicles on the roads than they were 12 months ago.

Mike Todd, chief executive at VWFS, said: ‘The cost of living crisis has left many drivers contemplating the difficult decision to skip essential vehicle maintenance and compromise safety, particularly the younger drivers on the road.

‘One in four have experienced a cost which could have been avoided with regular servicing. 

‘As an industry we should be supporting drivers in their entire vehicle ownership and usership journey. That means offering service options which cater to various needs and budgets so all drivers on the roads are in safe vehicles.’

‘Drivers in Luton hit hardest by rising motoring costs’

With rising inflation, used car prices, insurance and repair costs – as well as high fuel prices – there is no question that being a vehicle owner is getting pricier.

And a recent report has calculated which parts of the UK are being hit the most with increasingly expensive motoring running costs. 

The car insurance team at Compare the Market ran the numbers on local fuel prices, the average cost of insurance by postcode, as well as the maximum MOT and annual car tax fees across different areas of the country to see by how much they vary.

When looking at Britain’s 30 most populated locations outside of London, the research reveals that drivers in Luton are likely to be paying the most when it comes to running a vehicle. 

In total, the costs average £2,329, with 42 per cent (£981) of this figure being spent on insurance premiums.

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

Birmingham ranks third, with annual costs averaging £2,293 across all cars.