• One in five UK drivers admit not repairing a vehicle they know to be faulty because they can’t afford repair cost
• Avoidance drops to 8.5% amongst over 55s
• Average UK car repair cost is £298
• Rising inflation means motorists are compromising car maintenance
• motoreasy.com launches new online service to safeguard motorists and remove the hassle and stress of car maintenance and ownership

Nearly one in five* UK motorists admit to driving their car despite knowing it needs repairs because they can’t afford the bill, according to new research by car maintenance and ownership service, motoreasy.

The claim comes at a time when the Government is considering extending the start of MoT testing – which checks the road legality of every vehicle – from three-year-old cars to vehicles aged four years.

According to motoreasy, which manages car maintenance and repairs on behalf of the motorist, nearly 25%** of under 55s admit to ignoring necessary repair work on their vehicles. In comparison, that figure falls to just 8.5% from over 55s.

The findings come as annual inflation, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index, reached 1.8% in January – its highest level since 2014.

Men are more inclined to dodge necessary car repairs than women, with 19.5% and 17.3% respectively claiming to have driven cars carrying faults like worn brake pads and discs or broken suspension springs and shock absorbers. Warning lights – especially when intermittent – are frequently ignored, leading to costly repairs.

Drivers in the North West (14.8%) and East Midlands (15%) are least likely to skip repairs, where as those surveyed in Scotland (22.8%) were most prone to avoiding repairs because of the cost. When questioned, London (18%) motorists reflected the national average of 18.8%.

Motorists who have continued to drive cars in need of repair 

	East Anglia	East Midlands	London	North East	North West	England
Yes	20.69%	15%	17.98%	23.58%	14.83%	18.68%
No	79.31%	85%	82.02%	76.42%	85.17%	81.32%
	Scotland	South East	South West	Wales	West Midlands	Yorkshire and the Humber
Yes	22.78%	20.60%	18.83%	15.89%	19.17%	17.41%
No	77.22%	79.40%	81.17%	84.11%	80.83%	82.59%

 “Drivers are clearly prioritising other commitments if faults occur between annual MoT tests,” said Duncan McClure Fisher of motoreasy. “Naturally, that comes with a risk – especially if it relates to safety-critical items like brakes, steering, power and visibility.

“That is a risk to all road users, not just the faulty vehicle and its occupants.”

motoreasy’s concierge-like service provides customers with their own personal technician, who liaises with garages and negotiates lower prices for parts and labour on their behalf.