Motorists have been given some advice after new figures were released. Two-thirds (65%) of motorists were forced to pay out for unforeseen car repair costs over the past year, the research reveals.
The RAC, which carried out the study, said getting motors serviced and fixed quickly "generally works out far cheaper". The survey of 2,395 UK motorists found the typical cost for fixing a vehicle is £650, rising by £33 from the previous year.
Tyre replacement or repair represents the most frequent unexpected motoring expense, making up 54% of cases reported by those polled. This is followed by brake repair or replacement (26%), suspension fixes (18%), problems with 12-volt batteries (17%) and exterior light faults (16%).
The rising expenses are placing motorists' finances under pressure, with 76% of those questioned saying they would struggle to find the cash for an unexpected repair bill. Motorists with older cars are more prone to facing surprise repair expenses.
The figure among those with vehicles over 10 years old stood at 74%, compared with 65% across the board. Around 12% of those polled revealed they are getting their motor serviced less regularly than previously, while 5% admitted they have abandoned servicing completely, depending entirely on the annual MOT to spot issues.
RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Nick Mullender said: "With the average cost of an unexpected repair rising to £650 this year, it's little wonder that so many people are finding it difficult to meet the costs, as that's a bill no one wants.
"Looking after a car by having it serviced at the correct intervals – and getting repairs carried out in good time – generally works out far cheaper than having to get a more major repair carried out in a hurry. Add to that how difficult it can be these days to get a slot at a garage, and drivers face the prospect of having to go without a car for a day or more – seriously hampering their day-to-day routines, especially as so many of us are heavily car-dependent."
Recent analysis by Churchill Motor Insurance partly attributed the 34% increase in abandoned vehicles between 2022 and 2024 to rising repair costs. The RAC commissioned research company Online95 to conduct the survey in April.
