UK drivers could be wasting an average of nearly £200 each on fuel every year due to poorly maintained vehicles, according to new analysis.
Halfords said the figure could even reach up to £1,000 for motorists with very high mileage, such as van drivers. The retailer has launched an Every Mile Matters campaign to emphasise the importance of keeping your vehicle in good condition.
Driving with under-inflated tyres, using the wrong type of oil, and a lack of maintenance can increase fuel consumption by a total of up to 9%. Halfords have suggested that more awareness about vehicle maintenance could help people save money on fuel.
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Halfords head of quality Andy Turbefield said the Government is “very focused” on encouraging people to switch to electric vehicles but there needs to be a “greater emphasis on helping people with the everyday costs of motoring”. He suggested the 5p per litre cut in fuel duty – which is due to end in March next year – could be replaced by an information campaign on fuel efficiency.
“That could save motorists hundreds of pounds each, similar to the Government’s new campaign to help households cut their energy bills,” Mr Turbefield added. “At a time when every penny matters, our message to motorists is that every mile matters too.”
Chief executive Graham Stapleton said: “Vehicle reliability has improved in recent years but there is no getting away from the fact that older cars are more likely to develop faults, are more costly to maintain and are more polluting. This represents a risk to road safety, yet another squeeze on motorists’ wallets and a threat to the UK’s emissions reduction goals.
“With an ageing car fleet, it’s more important than ever that people keep their cars properly maintained, serviced and up to date with their Mot.”
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Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show battery electric vehicles made up 11.6% of the UK’s new car market last year, up from 6.6% in 2020. However, new analysis by Auto Trader showed that a record 15.4 million cars on Britain’s roads will be at least 10 years old by 2027, suggesting that many people are avoiding buying a new, more expensive, electric car.
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