DRIVERS are likely to skip routine and essential repairs on cars as the rising cost of living continues to eat away at available family incomes.

A second successive energy price cap rise and further utility bill increases on the horizon mean some households will be facing difficult choices when it comes to routine maintenance or unexpected motoring costs, such as tyre replacement, according  to a new report from The Motor Ombudsman.

Its latest annual survey of vehicle repairers revealed that, due to economic pressures, the majority of businesses (53%) reported customers avoiding SMR expenditure to save money during the past year.

In fact, many say this trend will continue in 2025, with more than half (56%) of garages surveyed expecting motorists to delay vital repairs. Meanwhile, 48% are forecasting vehicle owners will forgo ad hoc and typical maintenance to cut short term costs.

The Motor Ombudsman warns that such money-saving opportunities could lead to significantly higher costs down the road, not to mention remedial costs at the end of a lease contract.

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