Research from the RAC has revealed a significant portion of young drivers aged 17-24 (26%) are delaying essential car repairs to cut costs, with nearly three-in-10 (28%) neglecting regular vehicle servicing.
Alarmingly, 17% admit to risking safety by avoiding tyre replacements. This contrasts sharply with the broader driver population, where only around 8% make such cutbacks.
Overall, 38% of drivers are reducing car-related expenses, including opting for cheaper insurance (19%), less frequent servicing (12%), or delaying necessary repairs (11%). However, a striking 64% of young drivers have implemented some form of motoring cutbacks.
Of concern for road safety, 6% of this age group confess to intentionally skipping their annual MOT, and 9% have completely stopped servicing their vehicles. Make sure you keep your car's MOT up to date - check yours here.
The RAC's data also reveals that 69% of surveyed drivers, regardless of age, have experienced a rise in servicing and repair costs in the past year (compared to 62% in 2022).
Notably, over three-quarters of those under 25 (77%) feel the impact of rising prices on their motoring expenses. Regions most affected by these increases are the South West (76%), Wales (76%), and London (70%).
Additionally, 87% of young drivers have adjusted their vehicle usage to save money, compared to 76% of drivers of all ages. Tactics include avoiding pricier fuel stations (46%), driving more efficiently (48%), and reducing the number of long-distance trips (35%).
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Rod Dennis emphasises the worrisome trend, linking it to the broader issues of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis. He underscores the potential risks associated with reduced car maintenance and advocates for continued support of regular MOTs to ensure road safety.