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Are You Putting Off Your Vehicle Repairs? Here’s Why It Could Be Costly

Whether it’s the check engine light, a cracked bumper or even a tiny chip on the windshield, a surprising number of us are guilty of putting off vehicle repairs for as long as we can. Whether it’s the cost, a lack of time or simply thinking it can be safely ignored, the reasons for ignoring repairs are vast, but no damage to your vehicle should be ignored. In many cases, small repairs that could be relatively quick and simple to fix could end up costing you more in the long run if the damage was to get worse. We’re taking a deeper dive to find out why.

How Many People Put Off Repairs?

Reports and surveys can give us an interesting insight into how people drive, but one of the most shocking figures we’ve seen lately is that over 19 million drivers have been driving around with damaged vehicles for over a month, including everything from cosmetic bodywork damage and beyond. In some cases, drivers are even putting off crucial repairs to their brakes and engines. A third of drivers even admitted to leaving damage to bodywork for more than a month, with 5 million not worrying about bodywork repairs for over a year. Two in three mechanics also claimed to see vehicles every week where repairs have been left too long, with minor issues turning into much bigger problems over time. 

Why Do They Put Them Off?

The reasons that driver’s put off repairs can vary depending on the nature of the damage and their own personal situations. A study by Churchill Insurance found the most common reasons for driving with damage or a fault included: 

  • The problem was only cosmetic
  • The driver knew they could drive with the damage
  • They couldn’t afford to fix it 
  • They haven’t been using their car as much due to the lockdown
  • They didn’t have time to get the problem fixed

Time and cost appear to be big factors in getting vehicle repairs – drivers report simply not having time to bring their car in for repairs. Whether that’s the time to physically drive their car to the garage or the knowledge that they won’t have use of their vehicle for a few days or so. Cost also plays into this, with the cost of small repairs often seen as unnecessary, especially when coupled with the cost of using public transport or alternative methods of getting around.

Most Ignored Problems

While some minor bodywork issues are typically ignored by drivers due to being seen as cosmetic issues, these, among some more serious damage, often go unrepaired without drivers really understanding the consequences. Commonly ignored issues include: 

  • Chipped windscreens – Chips on your windshield might seem small and harmless, particularly if they’re not in your line of vision, but all it could take is one bad weather day to turn that chip into a crack. You should ideally have any chips on your windscreen repaired within a week of it occurring.
  • Blown Bulbs – Not only are blown headlights dangerous, but it’s also illegal to drive without a headlight rear light or brake light. If your bulb has blown, it’s vital to get this seen or replaced as soon as possible. 
  • Dents – Dents in your car aren’t always avoidable. Drivers can open their doors onto your vehicle, bump you, or you could cause it yourself. While dents are often seen as cosmetic damage and left for long periods of time, any water or dirt that gets into chips in the paint could lead to rust problems and discolouration of the paint.
  • Scuffed Wheels – You need to be keeping on top of the state of your wheels, and scuffs can be more than just a minor cosmetic issue. Dents in the tyre can cause warping which, when driving at high speeds in particular, can lead to dangerous blow outs.
  • Exhaust Problems – Issues with the exhaust, particularly noisy ones, tend to get ignored by drivers purely because it’s a part of the vehicle they don’t often see. However, a blown exhaust needs to be repaired and replaced quickly, before it leads to bigger issues and requires the entire system to be replaced. 

How Bad Could It Get?

The cost of repairs can be hard to swallow no matter what, but when it comes to some issues, the longer they’re left, the more costly it could be to repair them in the long run. That paint scratch you left could become a rust problem which not only requires more time and money in the garage but isn’t an issue that you can ignore. Costs for minor repairs could rise as follows:

  • Hand Brake Sticking – starts at £100, rising to £324 if left
  • Engine Noise – Starts at as little as £10, rising to £5,000 if left
  • Overheating – Starts at £60, rising to £1,000
  • Tyre Pressure – Starts at £2, rising to £100
  • Windscreen Cracks – Starts at £189, rising to £250 or more
  • Paint Damage – Starts from £15, rising to £102.

When it comes to engine repairs, gearbox repairs, bodywork repairs and more, it’s always better to book your car in for repair sooner rather than later. Not only will it take less time to repair a smaller issue before it can get worse, but it’ll cost you far less and in many cases, be an easy fix that improves your driving experience. Get in touch with our team to book your vehicle in for repair, or to find out more about the issues you might be having with your car.