‘I’m a car expert - drivers are losing up to £25,000 by ignoring these five things'

Petrol and diesel drivers could be throwing away up to £25,000 by deferring simple car maintenance and not checking five things. Bill Fennell, managing director of The Motor Ombudsman, admitted mechanics had noticed customers were being forced to splash out five-figure fees for not acting quickly enough once their vehicle was damaged. 

A new poll from the group found that a whopping 56% of garages report seeing drivers frequently or very frequently delaying essential maintenance. Meanwhile, the survey found that 83% of garages see drivers failing to stick to their recommended service intervals, with 77% not looking at their dashboard warning lights. Experts stress garages had reported drivers paying an average of £807.77 for repairs caused by deferred maintenance.

However, some garages shared examples of engine replacements ranging from £3,000 to over £25,000 where a simple service may have stopped the issue altogether. 

Bill said: “Drivers may look to cut corners to save money, but when it comes to car maintenance, it’s often a false economy. 

“Delaying a simple service or ignoring early warning signs might feel like a short-term saving, but it often leads to far higher repair costs.”

The Motor Ombudsman stressed motorists could stay out of trouble by ensuring they follow five simple rules.

Firstly, they encourage road users to keep up with regular servicing which is among the very best ways to spot problems early.

Specialists admitted road users should be budgeting for repairs ahead of problems arising and then make sure they don’t delay any work that needs to be done. 

According to the Motor Ombudsman, one road user could have avoided a £5,400 engine repair bill if they had purchased a timing belt for no more than £600. 

Next, specialists explain road users should never ignore car warning lights with the dials one of the easiest hints that something is wrong. 

The experts also stressed that road users should check tyre pressures regularly and always monitor oil and fluid levels.

Bill added: “Some of the most expensive issues we hear about could have been avoided with basic checks or timely intervention. 

“That’s why we’re encouraging motorists to stay proactive with their car care, it’s better for safety, reliability, and your wallet.”