A new study has found that the average UK motorist spends an average of £600 on repair bills for unexpected faults on their car. Whilst many drivers depend on their car for vital tasks - from commuting to work to travelling across the country - it can be incredibly difficult to anticipate when one of the vehicle's components will fail and leave them stranded at the roadside. Paul Coward, chief executive of the RAC's service, maintenance and repair division, noted that sudden faults can be particularly troublesome for those already feeling the effects of higher motoring bills.
He said: "Unexpected car repairs are something every driver dreads. This is even more the case for the estimated third of drivers who find it hard to cover these costs. What’s more, we know from long-term RAC research that eight-in-10 people depend on their cars, so any time a vehicle is off the road it can cause huge problems. Our patrols are experts at coming to drivers’ rescue when things go wrong, but not even they can fix every car. Now, with our growing nationwide team of RAC Mobile Mechanics we can get a wide number of repairs done at homes and workplaces."
According to a survey of UK drivers conducted by the RAC, 59% stated that they are typically hit with an unexpected repair bill each year, spending an average of £617.
With the cost of various expenses required to run a car on the rise, such as road tax and fuel prices, 37% of Brits stated that fixing their vehicle has left them facing financial difficulties.
However, the organisation's study also found that many unexpected repair bills faced by drivers each year are caused by the same set of components failing or becoming damaged.
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The most common cause of an unexpected breakdown, according to the RAC's survey, is tyres. 64% of respondents claimed that they needed to get their tyres repaired or replaced without warning.
This is most likely so common due to the increasing number of potholes on the UK's road network, with drivers who travel too quickly over damaged areas risking punctures.
Issues concerning a vehicle's brakes and suspension components also ranked high in the study, with more than a fifth of drivers facing unexpected repair bills caused by these parts.
Whilst car trouble can sometimes be inevitable, Paul noted that drivers can reduce the chances of a breakdown by making sure their vehicle is properly maintained.
He added: "The clear message to drivers is a well-maintained vehicle is far less likely to break down and result in costly unexpected repairs.
"Servicing it regularly is key, as well as ensuring any advisories in the MOT are addressed before they become illegal or go wrong."
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