Motorists are spending a combined £4.2 billion a year on car maintenance, including servicing, MOT tests and visits to garages, reveals new research.
According to MoneySuperMarket, Brits spend an average £185 on car maintenance each year. Drivers in the East Midlands pay the most for maintenance (£211), followed by those from East Anglia (£209) and the North East (£207). Londoners spend the least (£148).
Meanwhile, nearly half of car owners (47 percent) do not have a budget for car maintenance, preferring to pay for it as and when it arises, the comparison website said.
Many motorists are unable to maintain their cars personally – just 11 percent said they are confident with a toolkit, while only 45 percent of drivers said they are capable of performing basic maintenance. Twenty percent saying they require assistance, with drivers from the South West and Wales most likely to need help.
‘Age is a factor’
Age is a factor influencing car maintenance confidence with older drivers aged 65 and over (37 percent) more likely to be very confident when it comes to changing a tyre than 25–34-year-olds (24 percent).
“Owning a car is a hugely liberating thing but it can be very expensive,” said Katie Devine from MoneySuperMarket.
“We all know about the upfront costs such as the car itself and insurance, but we often forget how much we spend on keeping our cars roadworthy. Our findings reveal just how seriously Brits take maintenance – something that doesn’t come cheap.”
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