As winter approaches, Europcar survey reveals the false economy of missed services for cars over ten years old.
New research from Europcar Mobility Group UK has found that owners of older vehicles are putting off important vehicle servicing to reduce the cost of ownership.
With more challenging weather conditions ahead, this could be a false economy, as older cars are more likely to break down or experience technical issues.
Key findings: Drivers of cars aged 10 years +
- An average of £348.72 is spent annually on MOT, servicing, and maintenance.
- 28% try to save money by only having their car serviced every 2 years.
- 9% only take their vehicle to a garage when an issue arises.
- 22% said they used a credit card to spread the cost over a few months, whilst 33% had to use money from their savings to pay an unexpected car repair bill.
Whilst 15% of respondents who took part in the Europcar survey1 said their main car is less than a year old, nearly a quarter (24%) confirmed their vehicle is more than 10 years old. Drivers of these older vehicles spend an average of £348.72 per year on MOT, servicing, and maintenance – compared to £321 spent by those with vehicles aged under a year old.
Whilst 45% of respondents with vehicles 10 years+ get their car serviced every year or every 12,000 miles as recommended by the manufactureri, many will try to put it off as long as possible. 9% said they will only get their car serviced if something goes wrong with it.
“Not only are older vehicles more damaging to the environment as they emit significantly higher levels of tailpipe pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, but their aging parts are more likely to fail, increasing maintenance costs and likelihood of breakdowns,” commented Sarah Clarke, Senior Consumer Marketing Manager, Europcar Mobility Group UK & Ireland. “Delaying vital servicing often proves to be a false economy, as it can lead to higher bills in the long term. Younger vehicles are more reliable and more efficient, representing a double financial saving for drivers.
“At Europcar, we are committed to providing flexible and affordable vehicle rental solutions. Occasional rental of a nearly new car, alongside vehicle ownership, can help reduce wear and tear on a driver’s own, older vehicle. And this can be especially useful during holidays when longer trips are planned, such as the upcoming Autumn half-term. With a range of vehicles suitable for all occasions plus a delivery and collection option for ultimate convenience, we can provide the best vehicle for every journey.”
