A trip to a garage has become a source of genuine anxiety for many motorists, with research suggesting that cost is only one part of these concerns.
The study from Warrantywise suggests millions of drivers are concerned about trust, transparency and a lack of confidence when it comes to a garage visit. This all adds up to a growing sense of unease when something goes wrong with their car.
Of all drivers surveyed, 68% said they feel anxious about taking their vehicle to a garage for repair work. Adding to this, 31% stated they felt that way often.
With the garage sector trying to shake off stereotypes and presumptions, the findings suggest that there is still work to be done, as drivers believe overcharging, and unnecessary work, are still practices carried out by most businesses.
However, the Warrantywise research places costs as the main cause of anxiety. Of the 2,000 respondents, 80% said the possibility of unforeseen repair costs worries them, making it the most common concern by some distance. If a warning light does appear, 49% said they fear they could be overcharged when their vehicle reaches the workshop.
Confidence key for garage visits
Confidence is another major factor behind motorists’ concerns. In total, 36% admitted they do not know enough about cars to feel confident discussing repairs. Together, the findings suggest many motorists arrive at the garage unsure whether recommended work is necessary, whether the price is fair or whether they have enough understanding to challenge the advice they receive.
As vehicles become increasingly sophisticated, the knowledge gap only seems to become more pronounced.
The results suggest that, despite the efforts of the industry to highlight the professional standards to which it adheres, many drivers still believe stereotypical negativity. It appears there is much still to be done to reduce anxiety when it comes to garage visits.
The findings come at a time when the automotive repair industry is facing mounting pressures of its own. Research from The Motor Ombudsman found that 92% of repairers expect rising operating costs to be their biggest challenge during 2026, underlining the importance of open communication and transparency between garages and customers as costs continue to evolve.
“Most drivers understand that running a car comes with costs, but an unexpected repair bill can be difficult to manage, particularly when household budgets are already under pressure,” commented Antony Diggins, Managing Director at Warrantywise.
“Our research shows that cost is at the heart of much of the anxiety motorists feel around repairs, alongside concerns about understanding what’s gone wrong and what the work should cost.
Reliability issues
Warrantywise’s annual Reliability Index reinforces why so many motorists worry about unexpected repair bills. Drawing on thousands of real-world repair requests, the Index demonstrates how repair costs can vary considerably depending on the make, model and nature of the issue, helping drivers better understand the realities of vehicle ownership.
Even among the highest-ranked vehicles in the 2026 Reliability Index, repair request values differed significantly. For example, the four Toyota models that featured in the Top Ten recorded repair request values ranging from £1,587.60 for the Aygo to £6,503.57 for the Hilux, illustrating that even some of the UK’s most reliable vehicles are not immune to costly potential issues.
