Maintenance 'favours' end up costing more

GETTING help from family, neighbours or friends for basic car maintenance tasks costs the UK public an estimate £300million a year, according to a new survey.

Over 2,000 people were surveyed on behalf of Halfords Autocentres and one in six said they regretted asking for help in the first place. 45% who subsequently had to pay a professional to rectify mistakes were left with a bill in excess of £100.

10% of the mishaps were due to using the wrong engine oil or not filling the radiator with anti-freeze, one in 12 had problems starting their car because jump leads had been attached incorrectly and one in six had their screenwash topped up with water and no screenwash, which can cause freezing in winter.

Almost half (45%) of those who subsequently had to employ an expert were left with a bill of over £100.

Dave Poulter from Halfords said: “It seems that for many people there is no such thing as a cheap favour. Botched DIY jobs carried out by well-meaning friends are leaving many wishing they’d said ‘thanks but no thanks’.”

“Favours can be particularly costly for motorists where a bodged job can damage a car.”

By Press Association reporters