Million car owners 'missing vehicle services'

Date: 16/6/2011

Britons' lives could be put at risk when they are on the roads due to the three-quarters of a million individuals who skip taking their vehicle for its annual service.

Such is the warning of swiftcover.com, which noted that 750,000 car owners have been found to have taken this action in an effort to save money.

Robin Reames, claims director at the website, says: "In the long term, servicing your car is likely to save you money by keeping it running smoothly - no-one wants to hear that their expensive car problems could have been prevented by shelling out a few pounds for a service."

Regular maintenance can also help people reduce their spending, with the Institute of Advanced Motorists claiming that not checking tyres are at the right level of inflation could cause fuel bills to rise by five per cent.

Other cost-cutting measures identified by swiftcover.com have included swapping from a one-year to a six-month tax disc - an action taken by 1.5 million Britons.

Meanwhile, 33 per cent of those attempting to save money have been driving less, while one in five pensions have been making use of their free bus pass more and getting around on public transport.

Of those who have cut back their reliance on their motor, the majority were found to be aged between 35 and 44 years old - which the website notes is typically a time when they may be more reliant on their car to get to work or transport their children.

Posted by Sarah Bailey