Better grasp of maintenance among older drivers

Written by: Fuel Card Services, Last updated:14th February 2023

Better grasp of maintenance among older drivers (image credit: iStock/Ivanko_Brnjakovic)

New research has highlighted a stark contrast between the confidence and abilities of different generations of motorists when it comes to ensuring the proper maintenance of their vehicle.

A poll of 2,000 randomly selected UK car owners aged 18 and over carried out by price comparison website Gocompare.com showed that while just 22 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds say they are able to change a tyre should they need to, this figure rises to 61 per cent for those aged over 55.

Overall, it is a trend replicated across all areas of vehicle maintenance highlighted in the study, including jump-starting a dead battery, replacing a headlight bulb, topping up brake fluid, changing a windscreen wiper and checking tyre tread/depth, plus many more areas besides.

Responding to the results of the survey, Matt Oliver from Gocompare.com car insurance said: “It seems that younger drivers have a lot to learn from older motorists when it comes to car maintenance, with simple tasks like changing a windscreen wiper often leaving them scratching their head.

“What drivers may not realise is that they have a legal obligation to ensure that their car is kept in a roadworthy condition, so knowing how to check the tread on your tyre or change a headlight will help you avoid getting a fine or points on your licence.”

Indeed, all vehicle owners must be able to carry out a range of basic tasks in order to properly maintain their vehicle in a roadworthy condition. However, these latest findings show that many younger people may be in need of further help and training to ensure this is the case.

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