Younger motorists are far more likely to postpone vital vehicle repairs due to financial strain than pensioners during the cost-of-living crisis, new data suggests.
With the average car repair bill reaching £700, the RAC, which commissioned the poll, said it was "little wonder that so many people are finding it difficult to make ends meet".
A survey of 2,238 UK drivers found that a quarter of motorists under the age of 25 and 21 per cent of those aged 25 to 44 had delayed necessary repairs for financial reasons. For those aged 65 or over, this figure dropped to 5 per cent.
More than half of drivers questioned (60 per cent) during the RAC’s annual report on motoring said the cost of maintaining and repairing their car had increased over the past year, while 32 per cent said they were worried about maintaining their vehicle.
The RAC stated the situation is likely to be "exacerbated by the squeeze on household finances caused by soaring petrol and diesel costs", adding that a tank of petrol now costs roughly £89 compared to £74 a year ago.
The cost of a tank of diesel is currently £100, up from £79 this time last year, the automotive group said.
Of drivers of all ages that were surveyed, 3 per cent said they have deliberately avoided their MOT – which is a legal requirement that guarantees a vehicle is fit to be on the road.
Some 7 per cent admitted they had failed to replace worn out tyres, which could break the law if a tyre falls below the 1.6mm minimum tread limit, the RAC said.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “It’s concerning that so many drivers appear to be risking breaking the law by not having a valid MOT or driving on bald tyres.
“With the average repair bill climbing to almost £700, it’s little wonder that so many people are finding it difficult to make ends meet.
“But kicking the can down the road and delaying repairs to your vehicle or putting them off altogether is a false economy.
“Often, it makes the problem worse, which can lead to a more expensive bill down the line.
“More importantly, it may mean that your vehicle is unsafe and illegal to drive.
“Bald tyres drastically increase the risk of a collision as they increase stopping distances, and are at greater risk of unexpected blowouts.”
The RAC commissioned research company Online95 to conduct the survey of 2,238 UK drivers between 14 and 28 February.
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