Basic car maintenance appears to be a diminishing skill amongst drivers, as new research highlights how many are unable to operate even the simplest of functions.
As part of a push to highlight the benefits of green parts, insurance company LV= General Insurance polled a number of drivers on basic car maintenance. The survey results showed that 13% of vehicle owners had no idea how to even open the bonnet.
A total of 43% of those polled did not know where spark plugs resided, or how to change oil. Even changing a headlight was a problem for 42% of drivers, although this has become a more complex job in recent years. Identifying parts locations was also a stuggle, with 35% not knowing where a drive belt was.
Around 31% of respondents were also unsure how to jump-start a car, according to the poll. The findings suggest that basic car maintenance is a diminishing skill, one which will likely lead to an influx of work for the aftermarket but could lead to more complex jobs if drivers attempt to conduct work themselves.
Issues beyond basic car maintenance
It was not just the looking after of a car that some drivers struggle with. A fifth (21%) of drivers stated that they did not know the size of their engine, while 18% could not identify how to turn on either the cruise control, or traction control systems.
Asked why they do not know anything about the ‘inner workings’ of their car, nearly half (46%) felt they did not need to know, as a car is just a means of getting from A to B. A total of 42% claim they only really worry when something goes wrong.
On average drivers experience three breakdowns a year, spending as much as £305 on repairs.
The suggestion that a portion of UK drivers cannot carry out basic car maintenance, or even identify locations, gives the aftermarket an opportunity to teach, suggest, and ensure that vehicle owners are remaining safe.
Recommending green parts
The survey comes as LV= General Insurance partners with automotive journalist and former Top Gear presenter Rory Reid, to promote the use of recycled green parts in vehicle repair.
Almost half (49%) of those surveyed say they want to be a greener and more sustainable drivers, while 78% have no idea they can request green parts when getting their car fixed. Worryingly, 82% did not know they existed.
“It is encouraging to see drivers want to be more sustainable, as using green parts to repair a car has a 47% lower carbon impact than using brand-new parts,” said Michael Golding, Network Manager at LV= General Insurance. “We are on a mission to make more car owners aware of them.”
Things basic car maintenance drivers have never done / cannot do…
1. Change a tyre – 45% (*Have never done, and do not know how to)
2. Find the spark plugs – 43%
3. Change the oil – 43%
4. Replace a headlight bulb – 42%
5. Find the fan belt – 35%
6. Change the windscreen wiper blades – 31%
7. Jump start the car – 31%
8. Check the tread on the tyres – 20%
9. Put the cruise control on – 18%
10. Turn on the traction control – 18%
11. Check the oil – 16%
12. Check the water level – 16%
13. Put the car into 4×4 mode – 15%
14. Check the tyre pressure – 15%
15. Refill the screen wash – 14%
16. Open the bonnet – 13%
17. Work the Sat Nav – 11%
18. Connect phone to the car – 10%
19. Put the back seats down – 7%
20. Turn on the A/C – 7%
