New research done recently has shown that one in three motorists will avoid their next service in a bid to save money.
The study done by one of Britain's largest servicing and repair organisations suggests that around 13 million of UK motorists (39 per cent) will use the annual MOT as the only kind of safety inspection for the year, with the majority saying they're unable to afford the costs of an annual service on their vehicle.
Simon Cook of ACC UK Ltd, independent Volvo & Toyota Servicing, Repair and MOT specialists based in Farnborough, Hampshire says “It is very concerning to find that so many motorists are thinking of skipping their next service, tyres, brakes and lights are all crucial to road safety, so it is vitally important that they are regularly checked, and not just left until the MOT is due."
The notion of saving money - by skipping an annual service - is a false economy and the result will be more MOT failures and costly repairs, that could have been avoided if you had maintained the service schedule of your vehicle.
Drivers are not servicing their vehicles as they perceive the annual MOT as the only necessary service their vehicle requires - however the MOT only states that the vehicle is roadworthy and legal on that day. However, if the only time a motor vehicle industry professional looks at your car is at its annual MOT then the failure rate is destined to increase and a reactive repair will leave the consumer vulnerable to higher bills. It really is a false economy. Not only does it leave you and your vehicle vunerable to a potentially costly repair bill if you do not maintain your vehicle throughout the year, it also devalues your vehicle when it comes to selling it on and a potential buyer will percieve the vehicle to require repair work if it has not been adequately maintained. A worrying trend from the recent research also found that 10% of car drivers never checked their tyres and 15% of people admitted to experiencing a problem with their brakes but not actively looking to repair them!
The report found that drivers in the South West are the most likely to skip their next service - a staggering 45% whilst motorists in Scotland are shown to be the most prudent, with 22% saying they’ll skip their next service.
Drivers who admit they will skip their service by region
| Position | Region | % Who admit they will skip next service |
|---|---|---|
1 | South West | 45% |
2 | North West | 44% |
3 | London | 43% |
4 | East of England | 42% |
5 | East Midlands | 41% |
6 | Wales | 40% |
7 | South East | 36% |
8 | Yorkshire & Humberside | 36% |
9 | North East | 36% |
10 | West Midlands | 34% |
11 | Scotland | 22% |
In a nutshell it really is imperative that you continue to service your vehicles according to the manufacture reccommended service schedule. One way to cut the costs of your annual service is to use an independent garage such as ACC UK Ltd - Volvo and Toyota Independent Service, Repair and MOT Specialists based in Farnborough, Hampshire. Read our money saving tips in our blogs - for handy ways to save money on your annual motoring bill. Increase the longevity of your tyres by ensuring they are set at the correct tyre pressures. Remove unnecessary weight from the car - do you really need a boot full of golf clubs etc? Check your oil and water levels weekly. Car share to reduce fuel bills. Check that your bank account offers breakdown services. An avoidable breakdown that can be costly really can be avoided if you maintain your car throughout the year!
Happy motoring from all at ACC UK Ltd, Independent Volvo and Toyota Servicing, Repair and MOT Specialists of Farnborough, Hampshire!
