As the cost of living crisis continues, the last thing many families need is a hefty price tag when something goes wrong with their car.
Maintaining a car is an essential part of keeping you and your family safe, but it can also avoid thousands of pounds worth of fines later down the line, NorthWalesLive reports.
To help you better understand what could go wrong with your car, vehicle finance experts at CarMoney have revealed the most searched for motor maintenance queries in 2021.
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Andrew Marshall, Marketing & Partnerships Manager at CarMoney said: "Keeping on top of car maintenance can feel like a chore, but if you don’t take care of issues quickly, they could prove dangerous.
"Not only will regular services identify potential early issues, but they could also help you save money and avoid costly repairs further down the line.
"Always seek professional advice for any vehicle problems that may pose a risk to your safety and that of other road users."
The experts also shared how to solve them, and how much you could be fined if you didn’t:
How to change tyre pressure
‘What should my tyre pressure be’ is searched by motorists 36,000 times per year.
Low tyre pressure is dangerous because it can cause a blowout which can be fatal at high speeds.
Defective tyres could also result in a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre.
Knowing how to check tyre tread
There are 20,400 searches per year for ‘how to check tyre tread’.
Driving with tyres that don’t meet the legal standard tread of above 1.6mm can lead to a fine of £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre.
Check your tyre tread with the 20p test - insert a 20p into the groove of the tyre, if the outer rim of the coin is visible, this is a sign that the tread is too low and a new tyre is required.
How to change windscreen wiper blades
‘How to change windscreen wipers’ is searched 5,400 times a year.
Even a small issue with the efficiency of the windscreen wipers can affect your view of the road and impact reaction time, so always replace broken or damaged wipers as soon as possible to avoid potentially causing an accident in difficult driving conditions.
Changing car oil regularly
‘How often should I change my oil’ receives 1,200 searches per year, and the answer depends on your car.
A good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 3,000-5,000 miles, but keep a close eye on any warning lights before then.
If you’re forced to stop on the road due to engine failure and cause an obstruction, you could be fined £100 and 3 points on your licence.
How to remove car windscreen scratches
‘How to remove scratches from car windscreen’ gets 1,200 searches, and for good reason - you can fix windscreen scratches yourself before they develop into a costly windscreen crack, which can result in a £2,500 fine and 3 points on your licence as it can be considered a motoring offence.
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