Unplanned repairs leave drivers carless
RAC research has revealed that in the past year nearly four in 10 drivers have been without their car for at least a day due to unplanned repairs.
It found that 39% of those questioned said unexpected repairs meant their main vehicle was off the road for at least a day in the last year.
Of this number, 32% said they were without their cars for one day, 68% had to endure two days or more without their wheels, and 13% said it took more than a week to get their car back.
Meanwhile, 86% said the experience was inconvenient and 45% said it was very inconvenient.
Costs
The Report on Motoring data also found that the cost of simply keeping their car on the road has become their most significant motoring challenge, with 25% saying servicing, maintenance and repairs is their biggest financial concern, ahead of insurance premiums (24%) and fuel prices (23%).
RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Nick Mullender said: “The average age of cars on the road is now at its highest ever point at 10 years old. Keeping a car longer can definitely make sense financially but it doesn’t come without risks, especially if you choose to scrimp on servicing, maintenance and repairs.
“Servicing cars at the correct interval and fixing issues as they arise is by far and away the best advice. Those who choose not to are running the financial gauntlet as any issues that are left to get worse often lead to more expensive repairs when they spectacularly go wrong, often resulting in a very unwelcome breakdown.”
