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Research conducted by Holts revealed that on average drivers spend £559 a year on fixing problems with their car
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Drivers in Leeds spending the least on fixing problems with their cars, spending only £476
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The study found that a staggering 78 per cent of drivers don’t feel comfortable performing basic repairs on their car
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Research uncovers other hidden costs associated with breaking down, with drivers potentially losing out on up to £128 if they were to miss a day of work
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Nearly one in five have missed an important job interview due to a breakdown
New research into the hidden costs of breakdowns has found that UK drivers spent more than £21billion¹ over the last 12 months on fixing problems with their car, and it’s not surprising given that 78 per cent of drivers don’t feel comfortable performing basic car repairs.
The study² of 2,000 UK drivers, commissioned by car repair and maintenance company, Holt Lloyd International, highlighted the hidden costs associated with having to call for help in the event of a car emergency, and uncovered drivers attitudes towards breaking down.
Car trouble can undoubtedly be one of the biggest pains for drivers, and with a third of motorists shying away from the hassle of doing car maintenance themselves, the costs can really add up.
The study revealed that on average, drivers spend £559 a year fixing problems with the car, which could potentially be avoided if drivers were more clued up and able to fix problems themselves. Londoners were the worst unnecessary spenders, forking out on average £721 a year, while drivers in Leeds spent the least at £476.
Alongside repair and maintenance expenses, other hidden costs could include a loss of wages if drivers are forced to take time out of work to deal with issues, which could potentially cost £128 per day³ for full time workers. Also, drivers could be missing out on important life events and milestones, particularly when one in ten drivers have waited over 10 hours for help in the event of a breakdown.
Nearly one in five drivers admitted to missing an important baby event (18 per cent) due to breaking down, closely followed by a job interview (17 per cent). People in Edinburgh are the most likely to miss a funeral (8 per cent), while a whopping 774,000⁴ Brits have missed a wedding due to car troubles.
The research also found that in 2017 alone, Brits spent up to £330 million⁵ on emergency breakdown cover, which includes a number of people breaking down without cover and therefore potentially requiring an instant sign up fee.
When it comes to breaking down, engine overheating (18 per cent) came out on top in the poll, closely followed by clutch issues (17 per cent). Residents in Glasgow were the main culprits for breaking down due to a flat tyre, which could be due to Scotland’s pothole epidemic, with authorities spending £272,076 on compensation for car damage in the region⁶.
Brits appear to be shying away from dealing with car issues, but the study found northerners are more worried about ‘getting their hands dirty’ than southerners. Manchester residents appear to be the most reluctant with 61 per cent admitting they lack the confidence, compared to only 14 per cent of drivers in Brighton.
Surprisingly, when Brits are stuck on the road, 15 per cent would call their sibling, with one in 10 also choosing to call their dad, indicating that trusted family members are the preferred port of call to solve problems.
Tavia Spencer, brand manager at Holts commented on the findings: “Our research highlights that drivers are spending excessively when it comes to repairs on the car, especially when many of these can be fixed at home or by the road side. You often don’t need to be a fully trained mechanic or savvy under the bonnet, there are simple solutions available which will reduce call outs and lost time.
“If drivers were more confident doing basic repairs on their cars, the money saved could be spent on more fun activities. For example, two people could go to the cinema 28 times⁷ in a year if they didn’t spend money on breaking down, or experience a weekend away in Berlin, Germany⁸. Coffee lovers could even enjoy 240 cups⁹ in a year. We’re trying to encourage drivers to look at alternative options and spend their money on life’s little luxuries instead.
“While breaking down can be a real inconvenience and cause a number of disruptions, there are processes and emergency products available to help drivers get back on the road in a simple way with minimal fuss.”
When it comes to breaking down, the top five reasons include:
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Engine overheating (18 per cent)
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Clutch issues (17 per cent)
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Smashed windscreen / oil issues (14 per cent)
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Flat tyre (13 per cent)
The top 10 events that drivers have missed out on include:
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An important baby event
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A job interview
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A birthday party
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A date
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Parents evening
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A child’s sports game
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A child’s school concert
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A funeral
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A holiday abroad
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Somebody else’s wedding
To find out more about the hidden costs associated with breaking down, please click here: https://www.holtsauto.com/holts/news/the-hidden-cost-of-breakdowns/
