More drivers in the UK are willing to keep driving a damaged car after a minor collision, or vandalism. Here’s the research FYI;
To uncover how many car owners could be at risk, Auction4Cars.com asked 2,000 UK motorists how much they know about the penalties for driving a damaged car, and if they’d ever been behind the wheel of a car that needed significant repairs.
The data found that 5% of drivers are delaying car repairs due to mounting costs. Based on the number of licensed cars on UK roads, Auction4Cars.com predicts this could represent over 1.7 million motorists.
What are the penalties for driving a damaged car?
Driving a car deemed to be in a dangerous condition can incur three points on your licence per defect, a fine of up to £2,500, a complete driving ban, or a combination of all three.
Car damage that could get your licence revoked (depending on its severity) includes:
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Worn out or damaged tyres
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Worn brakes
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A cracked windscreen
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Broken windscreen wipers
What is the most common vehicle damage on the road?
The most frequent vehicle defects that motorists have driven with are:
|
Vehicle defect |
The % of motorists who have driven with this defect |
|
Tyre(s) with low pressure |
34% |
|
A chipped or cracked windscreen |
32% |
|
Broken or blunt windscreen wipers |
19% |
|
A damaged exhaust |
16% |
|
Worn brakes |
12% |
|
Worn tyre(s) with illegal tread that are overdue for replacement |
10% |
|
A broken or missing passenger-side door mirror |
10% |
|
A cracked or missing bumper |
8% |
|
A broken or missing rear-view mirror |
8% |
|
A smashed or missing window |
8% |
Are motorists aware they can be fined?
Over a third of those surveyed (36%) said they knew the law and would get their vehicle repaired immediately if it had incurred damage. However, almost a fifth (18%) weren’t aware they could be fined due to the condition of their vehicle.
Cost was cited as an issue for motorists when it came to avoiding repairs, with 5% of motorists admitting to continuing to drive their damaged vehicle until they were able to afford to get it fixed. A further 4% (equivalent to over 1.3 million drivers) said they knew they could be fined but tried to repair their car themselves, raising concerns around the number of car owners who might be completing unsafe DIY fixes instead of seeking professional repairs.
Discussing the research, John Hood, General Manager at Auction4Cars.com, said: “As motorists continue to be squeezed, it’s easy to see why drivers might be tempted to overlook getting their vehicle repaired. However, it’s essential to keep themselves and other road users safe.
“While car repairs can be an unwelcome expense, the reality is it’s often a lot cheaper to get the problem fixed as soon as possible before the issue gets worse. Not to mention, if you are fined, this could stretch into thousands in addition to the cost of the repair.
“To keep your car in running order, regularly complete your car maintenance and book in with a mechanic for anything that needs a professional look over.”
For more information on the research, visit: https://www.auction4cars.com/news/can-you-drive-a-damaged-car
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