Research from breakdown provider Green Flag has revealed that almost 1.3 million drivers in the UK are skipping servicing their vehicles, with costs the main reason behind this.
A further 690,000 drivers are unsure whether their car service is due, meaning almost two million vehicles on UK roads that could be running with potential defects.
Regular servicing can help to identify potential issues with a vehicle, including worn brakes, damaged tyres and potential suspension, steering and engine-related problems. It can also help a vehicle stay on the road for a longer life, while improving fuel efficiency.
Importance of car service
According to Green Flag, around one in 10 drivers are not keeping up with their car service. The organisation highlighted several reasons, according to its study, why this was the case.
A total of 33% of respondents said the problem was cost-related, while 25% felt their car did not need a service, as it was “running fine”. A further 6% felt their car service was not required, due to the older age of the vehicle.
| Reason | Percentage |
| I cannot afford it | 33% |
| I do not think it needs servicing – it is running just fine | 25% |
| I have not had time to get it serviced | 13% |
| I am worried about finding a reliable garage | 12% |
| I did not know there was a schedule to getting my car serviced | 10% |
| My car is so old it is not worth it | 6% |
However, the older a vehicle, the more likely it will require a regular car service, to ensure wearable components, and engine oils and filters, are all working effectively. Scheduling a service between MOT tests also means a vehicle is being inspected by technicians, and safety issues can be addressed, on a more regular basis.
“To see such a large number of vehicles on the road without being serviced recently is concerning for both drivers and other road users,” commented Katie Lomas, Managing Director of Green Flag. “It can increase the likelihood of breakdowns and accidents, which could be easily avoided by getting it regularly checked by a professional.
Right to repair
Green Flag’s survey found that when drivers do get their car service completed, their provider of choice tends to change depending on the age of the vehicle. Dealerships where vehicles were purchased were more popular than independent garages in the first two years with 52% of drivers, compared to just 28% who would go to a non-dealer workshop.
Once a car hits five or six years, when the warranty is likely to have expired, 52% of drivers go to an independent garage, with 31% choosing a dealer, likely due to costs and not being bound by presumed contractual obligations.
However, the Right to Repair means drivers have the ability to chose where they have their car service carried out, whether the vehicle is under warranty or not. The study therefore suggests that this message is not being heard by all motorists. With cost being the main issue around service work not being carried out, the 52% of one-to-two-year-old car drivers could be saving money by using independent garages over dealers.
A total of 66% of drivers confirmed the main reason they get their cars service carried out is to ensure the car’s safety and 55% wanted to avoid a breakdown. The survey also found that 35% also do so to ensure they maintain the potential resale value of their car.
| Reason | Percentage |
| To ensure that my car remains safe and roadworthy | 66% |
| To help avoid my car breaking down | 55% |
| To maintain the resale value of my car | 35% |
| Because that is what the manufacturer recommends | 24% |
| To fulfil obligations under the warranty agreement | 21% |
Keeping a full-service history is beneficial to owners and potential future buyers, and 81% of drivers have a comprehensive record. Data has shown that having a full-service history can increase the resale value of a vehicle by 10-20%, but it also makes the car more attractive to buyers.
The study found that 73% of drivers who bought their car second hand, bought it with a full-service history, with 40% saying it was a key factor in their choice of buying the vehicle.
