Cost of Living Crisis results in poor vehicle maintenance increasing risks for motorists

The ever-increasing pressures of the Cost-of-Living Crisis are taking an increasing toll on the UKs motorists. The release of a number of new surveys has revealed the true extent of the struggles many drivers are facing when maintaining their vehicles for use on UK roads.

The cost increases are affecting all areas of the sector and has resulted in many industry service advisors struggling to convince customers to pay their prices for necessary repairs and servicing. According to the results of the Bumper UK Automotive Aftersales Report 2024/25 a quarter of service advisors cited affordability as the key sticking point for customers repairs. This has resulted in a dramatic increase in the amount of drivers performing their own repairs and servicing to minimise the costs incurred at the garage.

A second survey by temporary car insurance provider Tempcover found that 25% of drivers admitted to attempting DIY vehicle repairs to avoid paying a professional. While this can result in significant cost savings it is important to note that safety related issues must be checked by a professional to ensure the security of the vehicle. An ill repaired vehicle can in fact invalidate your insurance in the event of an accident. Worryingly 90% of drivers aged between 35 and 44 who responded to the Tempcover survey revealed that they had resorted to social media for vehicle repair advice rather than seeking out professional assistance.

According to a survey by AutoExpress 15% of drivers have ignored their MoT advisory warnings completely. This can lead to the issues worsening to dangerous faults prior to their next annual test. Perhaps an even more frightening statistic revealed by Volkswagen Financial Services is that 40% of London drivers continue to use their vehicles despite knowing they need safety-critical maintenance putting not only their lives but other road users wellbeing at significant risk.

Revive! understands the need for drivers to cut costs in these financially uncertain times, but not at the expense of safety. Driving a dangerously unsafe vehicle can result in invalidated insurance and according to the Road Traffic Act 1988 a mandatory 3 penalty points or possible driving licence disqualification along with a fine of up to £2500 for a non-commercial vehicle. If you have committed a similar offence within the last 3 years you will face an obligatory driving licence disqualification.

If your vehicle has received a scuff or dent, or your alloys are looking a bit worse for wear, we encourage you to get in touch with our team. Throughout the Cost-of-Living crisis we have been inundated with requests from drivers who don’t want to pay the extortionate prices offered by conventional bodyshops. They are also reluctant to take on a DIY project that could not only damage their vehicle but significantly reduce the value should they wish to sell it. Revive! SMART Repairs offer a quality repair without the cost of a full panel repair.

Revive! encourages all road users to inspect their vehicles regularly for any signs of damage or required maintenance, as neglecting this could result in larger bills later on.

If you are interested in our repair services, please get in touch with our team now!

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