With over half (51%) of motorists admitting to neglecting their car maintenance, we set out to explore driving behaviors and attitudes toward vehicle safety.
We surveyed 1,000 UK motorists to test their knowledge of all things car maintenance and to find out just how prepared drivers are ahead of Road Safety Week (17-22 November).
Are Brits clued up when it comes to car maintenance?
Even though maintaining a car is vital to its longevity and overall health, over half (54%) of motorists rely on professionals or friends and family for help. Leading on from this, many car owners wish they knew more about how to complete basic car maintenance checks themselves (27%), indicating that many drivers are eager to improve their car care knowledge.
Interestingly, only 1 in 5 motorists believe it's their responsibility to complete basic car maintenance tasks themselves and 63% said they don’t complete car maintenance tasks themselves. It’s important to regularly complete vehicle checks to keep yourself and others safe on the road. Basic car maintenance such as checking tyres and fluid levels should be completed routinely.
How confident are UK drivers in completing their car maintenance checklist?
Routine maintenance tasks are crucial in ensuring your car is in a safe condition, especially when heading into the coldest time of year. However, many drivers admit to not being able to complete a range of maintenance tasks, including:
- 54% said they would be unconfident or find it impossible to change a car battery
- 50% said they would be unconfident or find it impossible to change a tyre
- 26% of drivers are unconfident or would find it impossible to check if their tyre tread was safe
- 25% of drivers said they would find patching a tyre impossible
Would motorists know what to do if they broke down while driving?
According to the research, less than a quarter of drivers (24%) would know what to do if their car broke down. With less than half of those surveyed (46%) having breakdown cover, it’s clear that more needs to be done to educate motorists about the importance of being prepared for every eventuality when out on the road.
Just 18% of car owners surveyed said they keep a breakdown kit in their car, something we’d always recommend – particularly when driving in colder winter months. Over a third of drivers would find it difficult or impossible to know what to keep in their car's emergency pack. A typical breakdown kit should include:
- Safety equipment such as a high-vis jacket and torch
- A basic tool kit
- Tow rope
- Emergency supplies such as blankets, winter coats and water
- Car documentation
Motorpoint is committed to spreading the word about car maintenance and driver safety to help make the roads safer for everyone. Visit us this Road Safety Week on the 22nd November to brush up on your car maintenance knowledge and check out our live demonstrations, 9am-9pm at The Avenue, Meadowhall.
Methodology
Research conducted by The Leadership Factor on behalf of Motorpoint with a sample of 1,001 UK car owners. Data was collected in November 2024. All statistics and findings have been rounded to the nearest whole number. A full data set is available on request.
- UK vehicle licensing stats: Vehicle licensing statistics: April to June 2024 - GOV.UK
