(Approx: 6min read)
Delaying repairs or maintenance on your vehicle might seem like a harmless way to save money in the short-term. However, mounting evidence shows it’s a false economy.
The Motor Ombudsman’s 2025 survey of UK garages and dealers [1] reveals drivers who postpone basic maintenance or repairs on their cars often face much higher repair bills in the longer term. In some cases, even lasting vehicle damage as a result.
Key statistics at a glance:
- 56% of drivers are either ‘frequently’ or ‘very frequently’ putting off repairs to their vehicle.
- 39% of drivers are doing so ‘occasionally’.
- The most frequent repairs/maintenance being delayed are timing belt replacements (79%), tyre replacements (72%), brake pad replacements (58%) and fixing oil leaks (49%).
- 86% of drivers who delayed repairs or maintenance experienced increased costs in the longer term as a result.
- The report suggests repair costs can balloon by as much as 4,400% in some cases when routine fixes and maintenance are ignored.
- 45% of those who don’t get their cars examined professionally say they do so because they are short on money. [2]
The most common mistakes drivers make:
The Motor Ombudsman survey highlights key short-term behaviours that can set drivers up for costly repairs in the long-term. According to the report, the most frequent maintenance mistakes are:
| Maintenance mistake | Percentage of drivers admitted |
| Not keeping to proper service intervals | 83% |
| Ignoring dashboard warning lights | 77% |
| Driving with low oil/fluids | 69% |
| Ignoring squeaks and rattles | 58% |
| Delaying tyre replacements | 55% |
These seemingly minor lapses can have significant knock-on effects, increasing the likelihood of expensive, major repairs down the line.
A widespread problem:
Repairers who contributed to the report say maintenance delays are common among well over half of vehicle owners, The figures below show this isn’t a rare phenomenon. It’s an everyday occurrence that’s silently inflating repair costs across the UK.
| How often drivers are delaying repairs/maintenance | Percentage of drivers |
| Very frequently | 14% |
| Frequently | 42% |
| Occasionally | 39% |
| Rarely | 5% |
What exactly are drivers delaying?
The specifics of the maintenance/repair work that people are delaying ranges from routine issues to more major work that can cause big problems if put off for too long.
The survey report lists the following as the main things drivers ignore or put off:
| Most regularly delayed repair | Frequency |
| Replacing timing belt at correct interval | 79% |
| Changing oil and filter in between services | 72% |
| Replacing worn tyres | 58% |
| Fixing an engine oil leak | 49% |
| Replacing worn brake pads | 39% |
Real-world scenario: Meet John, a busy dentist from the West Country:
John is a busy professional and father of three young children. As a result, he is time-poor, so decided in 2023 to begin skipping the scheduled services on his car – a 2019 BMW 3-Series. John’s closest garage is over ten miles away from his house, so he decided to skip it rather than have it take up a whole day.
At the time, John believed this saved him both time and money, so he thought it was a pretty good move…
However, in March 2025 he was hit with an unexpected £900 bill to replace all four of his brake pads, rotors and calipers. Had the car been serviced when it was due, the worn brake pads alone would have been spotted and replaced with new ones at the cost of around £250. As a result of skipping the service, the worn pads caused damage to the calipers and rotors, meaning everything had to be replaced.
Essentially, skipping two services on his car – a saving of around £400 – ended up costing John an extra £750 in the long term. He won’t be skipping his scheduled service this year!
The problems delaying repairs/maintenance causes:
The Ombudsman’s survey report asked repairers to detail the most common issues these repair/maintenance delays cause in the longer term. Delaying repairs doesn’t just inconvenience drivers—it hits them where it hurts: their wallets. Letting problems linger often means more complex, expensive interventions later. Common issues caused by postponed maintenance include:
| Issue delay in repairs causes | Percentage of drivers suffered |
| Increased repair costs | 86% |
| Decreased vehicle reliability | 73% |
| Long-term component damage | 63% |
| Safety risks | 58% |
| Premature component wear/failures | 51% |
| Increased emissions | 41% |
| Compromised driving performance/comfort | 40% |
| Reduced fuel efficiency/range | 39% |
| Lower resale value | 21% |
What is the added cost of delaying repairs?
Repairers collated and detailed just how much extra money drivers were spending on repairs as a result of delayed or ignored repairs/maintenance. With an average cost increase across the board somewhere between £100 – £1,000, it is vital drivers protect themselves from these costs with proper, timely maintenance on their vehicles.
The numbers make for concerning reading…
| Extra cost incurred | Percentage of drivers suffered |
| Less than £100 | 2% |
| £101 - £300 | 35% |
| £301 - £500 | 36% |
| £501 - £1,000 | 28% |
| £1,001 - £1,500 | 7% |
Case study examples:
Repairers went as far as to give a collection of examples of specific cases where ignoring repairs or maintenance significantly increased clients’ repair costs. This clearly illustrates that putting off basic servicing can lead to devastating repair bills.
| Original repair needed | Cost | Repair needed as a result of delay | Cost due to delays | Percentage increase in cost due to delays |
| Brake pad replacement | £245 | Brake pad, disc and caliper replacement | £700 | 185% |
| Service, spark plug replacement | £200-£300 | Replace catalytic converter due to failure, failure of parts | £1,000 - £1,500 | 400% |
| Timing belt replacement | £400 | New engine due to belt failure | £5,000 | 1,150% |
| Routine oil service | £200 | Repair engine damage | £9,000 | 4,400% |
What do these repairs/maintenance actually cost if you don’t put them off?
The Motor Ombudsman asked UK vehicle repairers to provide – based on the average UK car – figures on how much it actually costs to fix some frequent issues drivers are likely to come across if they do not delay the repair. The figures below show how relatively affordable it is to fix most issues before their knock-on effects escalate, resulting in a much bigger repair bill.
For example, failure to fix a worn timing belt can lead to a catastrophic failure of your engine and the need for complete replacement casting thousands of pounds.
Even a quick glance at average repair prices reinforces the importance of timely maintenance:
| Repair | Approx. average cost (when done promptly) |
| Clutch replacement | £753 |
| Fix overheating issue | £665 |
| Timing belt replacement | £600 |
| Windscreen replacement | £385 |
| Fix oil leak | £344 |
| Ignition system repair | £291 |
| Exhaust repair | £290 |
| Fix coolant leak | £260 |
| Brake disc replacement | £237 |
| Battery replacement | £189 |
| Brake pad replacement | £133 |
| Tyre replacement | £94 |
| Headlight bulb replacement | £20 |
So, why are so many UK drivers putting off these repairs?
The root of the issue here lies in why so many drivers ignore and delay issues on their vehicles, causing them to snowball into much bigger problems.
A recent survey by the RAC [2] sheds some light on the subject, revealing over a quarter of drivers (27%) see maintenance and repairs on their vehicles as ‘a hassle’. When only younger drivers – 17-44 – are taken into account, this figure rises to 38%, compared with just 15% of 65-74 year olds who see it as hassle.
According to respondents to the RAC’s survey, the main source of this ‘hassle’ is the task of getting to and from the garage to drop off and pick up their vehicles. 68% of drivers surveyed cited this as their main bugbear due to their distance from the garage, or the requirement to get someone else to drop them off and pick them up.
Some other key findings from the RAC survey are:
- 45% of those who don’t get their cars examined professionally say they do so because they are short on money.
- 24% of drivers whose garage found something else wrong with the car last time it was serviced, say that alone puts them off getting it serviced again.
- 42% of drivers say not knowing how long their car may be in the garage as a the most off-putting aspect of performing repairs/routine maintenance.
- As many as 7% of respondents (~2.4m drivers) have to travel over 20miles to their nearest garage. This figure rises to 10% in more rural locations.
The advice from expert repairers:
The repairers each offered tips and advice to UK motorists if they wish to avoid spiralling repair costs due to untimely servicing and maintenance.
Collated, they are:
- Stick to manufacturer-recommended service intervals.
- Regularly check fluid levels and tyre pressures.
- Perform small maintenance jobs quickly.
- Pay attention to dashboard warning lights and strange noises.
- Choose a reputable garage for servicing and repairs.
- Buy a car you can afford to run.
- Drive sensibly.
It’s not just about routine—it’s about prevention. Regular upkeep is the most cost-effective way to extend a car’s life and reduce the overall money you spend on it.
How does putting off repairs and maintenance affect your warranty?
Both manufacturer’s and third-party extended warranties require you to have your vehicle maintained/serviced as stated in the terms of your agreement, usually at least once a year on a specific date.
If you fail to do this according to what has been agreed, your provider may refuse to pay for repairs if your car has a fault, or simply cancel your warranty entirely.
Conclusion – Prevention is definitely cheaper than repair:
In conclusion, putting off a £200 repair today could mean a £2,000 invoice tomorrow. The Motor Ombudsman’s 2025 findings make one thing clear: timely maintenance isn’t just good practice—it’s essential financial sense.
For more information on what is most likely to go wrong with various vehicles so you know what to get checked, check out Warrantywise’s Reliability Index.
Sources of information in this article: