New research suggests that some young drivers are risking their lives, and those of other road users, by not following basic car maintenance routines, and even breaking the law.
According to new data from the RAC’s annual Report on Motoring, 20% of drivers under the age of 44 have driven illegally by not putting their car through its MOT, or replacing tyres when needed. This is down to price pressures caused by the cost-of-living crisis, the organisation suggests.
Amongst all drivers, 10% admitted they had failed to replace worn-out tyres or skipped the MOT, which is a legal requirement that guarantees the UK’s 42 million vehicles are fit to be on the road. This is a worrying statistic, suggesting millions of drivers are not aware of how important these safety checks are.
In addition, 19% of those surveyed for the RAC’s annual Report on Motoring say they have tried to save money by delaying necessary repairs, or either reduced, or stopped servicing their vehicles altogether due to cost.
Avoiding important routine maintenance or repairs, the RAC warns, could lead to more cars breaking down on the road, possibly jeopardising drivers’ own safety or that of other road users.
Young drivers more at risk
The proportion of drivers delaying maintenance is significantly higher among those under the age of 25, with 36% in this bracket saying they have ignored repairs and let servicing slide.
The Report on Motoring also highlights the impact of increased service and repair costs, with 74% of all drivers saying these costs have increased compared to last year. This is up from the 69% in the 2023 report that stated rising maintenance costs were noticed.
Failing to carry out routine maintenance and repairs to save money could also prove to be a false economy when a vehicle breaks down and owners are then faced with a big repair bill. This is borne out by the 59% of drivers in the Report on Motoring that faced unexpected repair costs for their main vehicle over the past 12 months.
While most of this group (63%) managed to cover these additional expenses comfortably, a sizeable remainder (37%) faced difficulties in doing so, a figure that rises to 45% among the under-25s. The average total amount spent on these unexpected repairs is an incredible £617.
The 2024 Report on Motoring also found that 50% of under-25s say they would struggle to meet a repair bill of £500, compared with just 25% of drivers aged 65 or older.
Report on Motoring highlights trends
“It is very worrying that so many drivers under the age of 44 appear to have risked breaking the law by not putting their vehicles through the MOT and running them on tyres that should have been replaced, all in an attempt to save some money,” stated RAC breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams.
“Safety on our roads is paramount. The MOT is a legal requirement for good reason: skipping it jeopardises the safety of all road users, including the driver. Tyres are a vehicle’s only contact with the road, so it is vital they are in good condition and have plenty of tread, anyone who drives with poor tread or substandard tyres risks being involved in a collision.
“Those drivers who have taken the decision not to get their cars serviced or repaired might think they are saving money, but they could very easily find themselves facing a far bigger garage bill for something which could have been cheaper to fix earlier on. They might also find themselves stuck in a breakdown situation at the side of the road, which can be both dangerous and expensive depending on whether they have the right roadside assistance cover.
“Fortunately, gone are the days when you have to spend time and effort getting your car to the garage for routine maintenance and repairs. The RAC now has a big nationwide team of Mobile Mechanics who can service or repair cars at drivers’ homes or workplaces at highly competitive prices.”
You can find the full RAC Report on Motoring here.
