A Trip To The Garage Could Reduce Your Car Insurance And Save Your Life

A trip to the local garage could save your life and reduce your car insurance as well. More than 23 million frugal drivers (71 per cent) are putting their lives at risk by delaying a trip to a garage despite being aware of a fault with their vehicle.

Research commissioned by esure car insurance found that one in three (33 per cent) motorists admitted ignoring car defects to avoid paying out for repairs. Around one in five (19 per cent) even ignore warning lights on their car dashboard. Ten per cent admitted to ignoring the faults until their cars’ MOT was due – causing potential danger on UK roads.

Furthermore, 31 per cent claimed that they didn’t have time to take their car to a garage whilst 8 per cent confessed to only fixing problems with their car if it became completely unusable.

Nearly half (44 per cent) of those questioned said that they would prioritise spending their monthly wage on leisure activities such as clothes shopping and booking holidays rather than fixing a known fault on their car.

The research also revealed that over 24 million motorists (72 per cent of drivers) did not know what all the important warning symbols meant on their car dashboard. The 'Engine' warning light appears to be the most misunderstood (46 per cent), and rather suprisingly, some (2 per cent) also failed to understand the purpose of the 'Low Fuel' symbol.

Consequently, nearly half of all motorists (49 per cent) have ignored an ‘emergency’ flashing light on their dashboard because they couldn’t work out what the warning symbol meant.

Many warning lights are individual to specific car manufacturers or even particular car models – but only 13 per cent of motorists have read their vehicle’s handbook to decipher the symbols.

Ironically, aside from causing danger on the roads, ignoring faults can lead to a higher service bill or even a significant fine.

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure, said: “Driving a car with a fault - no matter how small it may be, could potentially increase the likelihood of having an accident or breakdown. Motorists should always think about the internal feel of the car whilst driving as well as any unusual noise they may hear.

“esure urges all drivers to check their dashboard for any warning lights the next time they’re in the car and if unsure about what a specific light means, to check their manual or take their car to the local garage for it to be looked at.”