Cash-strapped Australian motorists are either delaying or abandoning essential car services in a bid to save money; a risky and worrying trend experts are keen to put the brakes on.<\/p>\n
A Canstar survey of more than 2700 car owners found 49 per cent had pushed back a trip to the mechanic or ditched it in the past year due to cost of living pressures.<\/p>\n
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Aussie drivers cutting car costs amid financial pressure<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n One quarter of people have put off necessary car maintenance \u2014 think new tyres and brake pads \u2014 while the same amount have held off or not bothered to correct minor damage including cracked windscreens and dents.<\/p>\n \u201cWe completely sympathise with motorists. Cost of living pressures are a big issue and many are looking to save money,\u201d National Roads and Motorists\u2019 Association (NRMA) spokesperson Peter Khoury told 7NEWS.com.au.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just don\u2019t want them to sacrifice safety.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want people in the safest car possible and that means getting your car serviced by an expert.\u201d<\/p>\n Twenty-one per cent of those surveyed also said they had reduced or cancelled non-compulsory car insurance, and 17 per cent had shelved plans for a new set of wheels.<\/p>\n Cost pressures were felt most heavily by drivers in WA<\/a> and Victoria<\/a>, where 60 per cent of people had cut back on car expenses in the past 12 months.<\/p>\n Sixty-nine per cent of Gen Z drivers said they had tightened their belts, compared to 67 per cent of millennials, 60 per cent from Gen X, and 42 per cent of baby boomers.<\/p>\n To trim back on costs, almost one in five drivers had reduced the quality of petrol they put in their car, or limited their time on the road.<\/p>\n Five per cent said they had sold their car and not replaced it.<\/p>\n Data released by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) in November showed a typical household spends 15.8 per cent of its weekly income on transport.<\/p>\n That equates to about $450 on car loan payments, fuel, registration, insurance and other expenses, well up on the $309 from five years ago.<\/p>\n \u201cGovernments at all levels must consider these cost pressures when formulating policy,\u201d AAA managing director Michael Bradley said.<\/p>\n Insurance risk<\/p>\n Canstar\u2019s Data Insights Director Sally Tindall said car servicing is critical for safety, helps identify potential issues and prevents bigger costs down the track, extends the lifespan of your vehicle and even boosts resale value should you wish to sell.<\/p>\n Tindall said too that not giving your car the proper care can impact insurance should you need to make a claim.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you take out comprehensive insurance, the insurer expects you to keep your car in a roadworthy condition,\u201d Tindall said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis means replacing worn tyres and brakes, fixing defective lights, addressing rust and resolving any mechanical or electrical issues.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s not, then your provider could potentially deny your claim if it contributed to the accident.\u201d<\/p>\n Khoury said the regularity of services will depend on the manufacture\u2019s advice, but if you think something is wrong, \u201cget it checked\u201d.<\/p>\n He said a health check should also be considered before road trips.<\/p>\n How to cut down on costs<\/p>\n Tindall said drivers could potentially save on costs by sourcing more than one quote for big repairs, and using perks that come with your insurance, with some providers offering discounts on things like tyres and batteries.<\/p>\n \u201cChecking your tyre pressure regularly, getting more than one quote for repairs and using a fuel app to get a good deal at the pump can make a difference,\u201d Tindall said.<\/p>\n \u201cShopping around for car insurance every time it comes up for renewal should also be a non-negotiable. Auto-renewing saves time, but it could see your loyalty being taken for a ride.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead, use your renewal notice as your reminder to shop around.\u201d<\/p>\n All information in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n GWM’s biggest SUV yet is a 5.3m-long luxury PHEV<\/p>\n 2 min read<\/p>\n