Home | Blog | Brits admit to lacking confidence in basic car maintenance

By Paul Baxter, 31st January 2025

Category: Car insurance

Car maintenance is an essential skill that every motorist should have, but our latest research reveals that many UK drivers lack confidence when it comes to even the most basic vehicle upkeep. From changing a tyre to checking oil levels, the study highlights a worrying knowledge gap that could leave many unprepared for emergencies.

According to our research, fewer than three in 10 motorists feel "very confident" about changing a tyre, with one in five (19%) admitting they have no idea how to do it at all. A further 29% say they would feel "not very confident" if they had to attempt the task.

Other simple maintenance tasks also leave drivers feeling unsure. More than a third of motorists admit to having little to no confidence in replacing a windscreen wiper blade, while 16% lack knowledge about checking their oil level. Even basic upkeep like checking tyre pressure (15%) and refilling screen wash (10%) pose a challenge for some drivers.

With so many drivers lacking confidence in car maintenance, it's no surprise that professional mechanics are often called upon to handle even minor issues. In fact, one in four (24%) car owners say they have taken their vehicle to a garage for a problem they later found out they could have easily fixed themselves.

When faced with a warning light on their dashboard, most drivers turn to external help rather than attempting to diagnose the issue themselves. Our research found that 18% immediately book their car into a garage, and 4% of respondents admit to ignoring warning lights unless they are affecting their vehicle's performance, a figure that jumps to 10% among younger drivers aged 18-24.

The lack of maintenance knowledge can lead to unnecessary expenses and increased vehicle wear, affecting both safety and the environment.

Basic car maintenance knowledge can save drivers time, money, and unnecessary stress. Whether it's checking tyre pressure, replacing a windscreen wiper, or addressing warning lights promptly, taking the time to find out how to perform simple tasks can improve road safety and also in some cases reduce the environmental impact your vehicle is having on the road.