Drivers ditch services as cost-of-living crisis deepens

A third of motorists say they are likely or very likely to either delay or skip having their vehicle serviced in the next 12 months due to the cost-of-living crisis.

A new study from BookMyGarage revealed that two thirds of UK motorists are concerned that their vehicle may require a repair at some point in the near future which they can’t afford to fix.

One-in-10 motorists said they have even resorted to attempting repairs themselves on their own cars in an effort to save money.

With the UK’s inflation rate reaching 9.6% in October 2022, the cost of vehicle parts has also risen. The survey found that a fifth of the respondents will be looking to use cheaper replacement parts as a way of cutting down on repair bills.

Karen Rotberg, co-founder of BookMyGarage, said: “Not having your car serviced may seem like an easy way to cut down on motoring bills, but the reality is that more problems are likely to occur in the long term and could cost drivers more money overall. When a vehicle has a service, it’s inspected for any existing issues that often go undetected by a regular motorist. These problems can deteriorate over time and in some cases result in a costlier repair bill.

“Vehicle servicing is a preventative measure and skimping on servicing could result in significant engine damage and a repair bill that exceeds the value of the vehicle. It could also prove to be dangerous, as safety-critical faults may go unnoticed and the risk of a breakdown is greater.”