British drivers have forked out hundreds of pounds on unexpected car repairs, with more than six-in-10 motorists impacted yearly.
It comes after new research has revealed that drivers spend an average of £617 annually on unforeseen mechanical issues while on UK roads.
This financial strain is particularly concerning as more than a third (37 per cent) of those facing these repairs admitted they experienced difficulty in paying for them.
The findings come at a time when many households are already carefully managing their budgets amid rising living costs and rising costs associated with driving.
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For the eight-in-10 Britons who depend on their vehicles daily, these unexpected breakdowns represent not just a financial challenge but a practical one too.
Tyres top the list of unexpected motoring costs, with 64 per cent of drivers having to pay for replacements due to wear and tear.
Brake repairs follow as the second most common expense, affecting 24 per cent of motorists according to the report.
More shockingly, 21 per cent of drivers were victims of Britain's poor road surfaces, having to fork out for new suspension parts such as shock absorbers and springs.
For cars between three and 10 years old, suspension repair figures were dramatically higher at 30 per cent.
Other common unexpected costs include fitting new exterior lights, which affected 15 per cent of drivers surveyed.
Bodywork damage repairs such as dents and scrapes also hit 14 per cent of motorists' wallets. Replacing faulty or worn-out 12-volt batteries rounded out the top expenses at 13 per cent.
The financial impact of these repairs is substantial, with more than a third (37 per cent) of drivers reporting they struggled to cover these unexpected costs.
Paul Coward, chief executive of the RAC's service, 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."
Experts have now advised drivers that regular maintenance can be key to avoiding getting slapped with costly unexpected repairs.
Coward added: "The other clear message to drivers is a well-maintained vehicle is far less likely to break down and result in costly unexpected repairs."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
"Servicing it regularly is key, as well as ensuring any advisories in the MOT are addressed before they become illegal or go wrong."
The RAC has expanded its services to help drivers manage these repair challenges more conveniently.
Find Out More...
It comes after new research has revealed that drivers spend an average of £617 annually on unforeseen mechanical issues while on UK roads.
This financial strain is particularly concerning as more than a third (37 per cent) of those facing these repairs admitted they experienced difficulty in paying for them.
The findings come at a time when many households are already carefully managing their budgets amid rising living costs and rising costs associated with driving.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
For the eight-in-10 Britons who depend on their vehicles daily, these unexpected breakdowns represent not just a financial challenge but a practical one too.
Tyres top the list of unexpected motoring costs, with 64 per cent of drivers having to pay for replacements due to wear and tear.
Brake repairs follow as the second most common expense, affecting 24 per cent of motorists according to the report.
More shockingly, 21 per cent of drivers were victims of Britain's poor road surfaces, having to fork out for new suspension parts such as shock absorbers and springs.
For cars between three and 10 years old, suspension repair figures were dramatically higher at 30 per cent.
Other common unexpected costs include fitting new exterior lights, which affected 15 per cent of drivers surveyed.
Bodywork damage repairs such as dents and scrapes also hit 14 per cent of motorists' wallets. Replacing faulty or worn-out 12-volt batteries rounded out the top expenses at 13 per cent.
The financial impact of these repairs is substantial, with more than a third (37 per cent) of drivers reporting they struggled to cover these unexpected costs.
Paul Coward, chief executive of the RAC's service, 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."
Experts have now advised drivers that regular maintenance can be key to avoiding getting slapped with costly unexpected repairs.
Coward added: "The other clear message to drivers is a well-maintained vehicle is far less likely to break down and result in costly unexpected repairs."
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"Servicing it regularly is key, as well as ensuring any advisories in the MOT are addressed before they become illegal or go wrong."
The RAC has expanded its services to help drivers manage these repair challenges more conveniently.
Find Out More...