Approximately 1.7 million UK drivers have been caught driving damaged or faulty cars due to not being able to afford high repair costs.
New research from Auction4Cars revealed that 5% of drivers have been fined for driving a damaged car or having a missing vehicle part. The most common defects UK motorists have driven with include tyres with low pressure (34%), chipped or cracked windscreens (32%), broken or faulty windscreen wiper (19%) and a damaged exhaust (16%).
While 36% of surveyed motorists admitted to knowing the law and said they would seek immediate repair, 18% were not aware that they could be fined due to their vehicle’s condition, and 5% admitted to knowing the risks and choosing to drive their vehicle without plans to repair it.
The main reason cited for avoiding repairs was cost, with a further 4% of drivers saying they tried to fix the car themselves, raising concerns around the number of motorists completing unsafe DIY fixes rather than seeking professional help.
Despite rising repair costs, staying on top of maintenance and servicing will prevent unexpected bills, vehicle downtime and potential accidents, occasionally resulting in unplanned repairs later on, which are often more costly.
In the event of an incident, Motor Assist keeps businesses and fleets mobile by providing necessary remedial work in the most efficient way possible through its network of accredited repairers. It coordinates repairs with agreed upon best rates for all involved, along with offering like-for-like replacement vehicles when required, including EVs.
