Four in 10 'driving damaged cars'

MORE THAN four in 10 UK motorists admit they are getting behind the wheel of vehicles that are damaged, according to shocking new research from Kwik Fit.

From chipped windscreens to balding tyres, the 43% figure equates to more than 16 million cars on UK roads with potentially dangerous faults or damages.

Damaged body work is the most common vehicle issue, as cited by over half (56%) of all motorists who admitted to driving damaged cars. Cracked or chipped windscreens (14%), bald tyres (9%), damaged wipers (9%) and illuminated dashboard warning lights (9%) were also commonly cited in the study.

Lack of money is the main reason motorists give for having failed to rectify these issues, with almost a third (32%) citing financial considerations as the biggest barrier to repair.

Around 29% of drivers say they are happy to live with the problem, whilst 13% say they do not have the time to get their vehicle fixed. One in 10 drivers say they simply “can’t be bothered”, whilst 6% are waiting until their next MOT or service to get the problem professionally fixed.

Roger Griggs, director of communications at Kwik Fit, commented: “Many of these problems may sound minor, but issues such as chipped windscreens or bald tyres have the potential to be very dangerous.

“In many cases, motorists are putting off vehicle repairs to save time and money, but in the long run, this can be a lot more costly and time consuming if these faults get worse.

“Whether it’s damaged body work or a flashing warning light, our advice to motorists is to get these things checked out, as there may well be more to the problem than meets the eye and it certainly won’t get any better by itself.”

Motorists in the capital are the biggest culprits for driving damaged vehicles, with 60% of all drivers admitting to doing so. In contrast, those in the North East are the least likely to get behind the wheel of a damaged car at just 37%.

By Press Association reporter