Economic woes continue to affect driovers in the UK.

New research from Volkswagen Financial Services UK reveals that one in four drivers have skipped essential car servicing in the past year.

Younger drivers (aged 25–34) are disproportionately affected, with 38% skipping servicing and a concerning 45% likely to do so next year.

 Driving economy

One in four (25%) of UK drivers admit to skipping their annual vehicle service due to cost.

Furthermore, 18% say they’re likely to do so again in the next 12 months.

The findings come from an independent survey of 2,000 UK drivers, who were asked about their attitude towards vehicle servicing, key pain points, and their knowledge of vehicle dashboard warning symbols.

With the cost of living crunch continuing to affect many households, motorist members are looking to cut costs where possible.

The survey results demonstrate that the cost of keeping a car in good shape can feel like a burden for many drivers.

Drivers are, therefore, looking to cut corners when it comes to ensuring their vehicles run efficiently and safely.

Under pressure

The research also found that younger drivers, aged between 24 and 34, are more likely (38%) to skip getting their car serviced due to cost pressures.

This compares to just 14% of those aged 65 and over.

With the cost of living hitting the younger generation harder, almost half (45%) of all younger drivers feel they’re also likely to miss car servicing again in the next 12 months.

All this compromises the performance and efficiency of their cars, adding to ongoing costs while also creating potential safety issues.

Comparatively, just 10% of those aged 55 to 64 said the same about servicing in the year ahead.

Gambling

Nearly a quarter (24%) of all drivers are choosing to take additional risks due to these cost-cutting moves.

They admit to driving their car despite knowing it requires essential safety maintenance, such as new tyres, tyre checks, brake light replacement, or oil topping up.

The trend continues as 53% of 25 to 34-year-olds are most likely to ignore such warnings.

More males (29%) admit to these habits compared to females (19%).

Planning to pay

Considering that funding servicing and essential car maintenance is an ongoing challenge for drivers, 39% said they are interested in finding out more about how they could spread the financial cost and pay via regular monthly payments instead of a single bill.

As a result, servicing and maintenance plans as an add-on are becoming an increasingly attractive option when taking out car finance.

Young drivers are most in favour of being able to spread costs, with 69% of 25–34-year-olds recording the highest response.

But nearly a quarter (23%) of those 65 and over also consider this to be a helpful way to fund ongoing car maintenance obligations.

According to the 60% of drivers who voted in favour of spreading costs, the main reason is that it would ‘ensure I get all necessary servicing and maintenance’, while 30% admit such a solution would mean they are ‘less likely to skip recommended servicing and maintenance’.

Dashboard dangers

There was general understanding across all age ranges that ‘yellow warning lights’ on the car dashboard flag up potential problems that need checking as soon as possible.

Worryingly, 58% of drivers also say that they would keep driving to their destination despite seeing a ‘red warning light’ on their dashboard.

Again, it is younger drivers who are prepared to take the greatest risks.

25 to 34-year-olds are the most likely demographic to take this course of action, with over two-thirds (63%) saying they would continue driving regardless of the red signal.

When asked to identify common but important dashboard warning signals, just under half of drivers correctly identified symbols such as ‘tyre pressure’ and ‘check engine’.

However, one in five (20%) had no idea of the symbol indicating a problem with car tyre pressures, and 8% did not recognise the red ‘check engine’ sign, which could be a precursor to a much bigger and potentially more expensive problem.

Games of risk

James Taylor, Head of Product at VWFS UK, said: “Regular car servicing and maintenance are essential to optimise driving performance, keep vehicles safe for both the driver and other road users, and cut future car-related costs overall.

“Our research highlights that a considerable number of drivers, especially those in younger age groups, continue to experience cost pressures and more likely to avoid or delay the recommended servicing and maintenance that all vehicles require.

“We know that the cost-of-living continues to affect many households and understand that, naturally, some drivers may opt to skip servicing recommendations to prioritise alternative, compulsory costs. But not keeping up with regular car services and maintenance checks can compromise safety standards, and we believe drivers should be able to access the support and information they need to help them address the cost challenge.”