Footing the bill: Drivers to hit the brakes on vital car repairs in 2026, says motoring expert

• Motor Ombudsman poll shows nearly seven in ten UK garages are set to see car owners skipping essential repairs this year in a bid to save money  
• Ignoring warning lights can turn into ‘wallet frights’, as delaying fixes can lead to higher bills and compromise safety
• Around 40% of repairers expect customers to abandon cars this year should work prove too costly 

Motorists could unknowingly be putting their own safety and finances at risk by delaying essential repairs to their cars. At a time when consumers are once again facing rising bills as the new year begins, the latest annual poll of car garages and workshops across the UK by The Motor Ombudsman – an expert on all things motoring, has revealed that nearly seven in ten (68%) expect drivers to skip doing vital work on their vehicles as a quick way to save money. This is a slight rise from the figures of 61% seen in 2025, and 53% in 2024, laying bare the continued strain on household budgets.

However, delaying repairs, no matter how small, can lead to more costly bills later down the line. For example, putting off having a timing belt replaced – a vital component for ensuring the smooth running of an engine, can turn a typical bill of around £600 into a worst-case scenario of complete engine failure, which carries an average bill of £5,400 – a cost nine times greater than what it should have done.

Furthermore, ignoring squealing or grinding noises from the brakes, and not changing the pads (typically £266 for a set of two per wheel), may not only escalate into needing more of the braking system replaced, such as discs and calipers – carrying a combined £700 bill a wheel, but postponing such an important safety fix equally poses a danger to life, as stopping distances can be vastly reduced, especially in bad weather.

Similarly, shunning changing tyres in poor condition and with tread lower than the legal minimum of 1.6mm – costing on average £94 per corner, can impact handling and safety, and result in a fine of £2,500 and three points on a driving licence for every tyre that’s sub-standard.

Rebecca Pullan, owner of The Motor Ombudsman-accredited Carmaster Garage, said: “Avoiding repair bills might feel like a tangible saving in the short term, but it often proves a false economy. That’s why it’s important to visit a trusted and reputable garage at the first sign of trouble, and to tackle issues early on before they escalate into something much more serious.”

In light of drivers holding on to their cars for a lot longer – now an average of 9.5 years – an all-time high [1] , the findings from latest study also showed that nearly four in ten (38%) vehicle repairers across the nation expect drivers to abandon their cars and to leave them behind at garages if repair costs prove too expensive to keep them running. This is a rise from 28% when compared to what was forecast for 2025, reinforcing how car ownership can hang in the balance in the event of a bill proving unpalatable.

Lastly, to compound an economic backdrop of increasing household bills, the research also highlighted that over half of garages (55%) are set to grapple this year with the challenge of not passing on rising costs, that they themselves are having to contend with, when handing over invoices to customers.

Rebecca said: “Cars are complex machines, and carry an ongoing financial commitment to keep them legal and roadworthy. Things can of course go wrong out of the blue, especially as drivers are not changing cars so regularly nowadays.

“This is why it’s so important that money is put aside and to have a separate pot ‘at the ready’ to help pay for any unforeseen repairs, alongside regular recommended routine maintenance, such as servicing and MOTs. Owning a car is one of the biggest household bills, meaning budgeting is key.”

Rebecca Pullan at Carmaster Garage also offers the following top tips to help drive down the burden of costly repair bills:

Take a look at extended warranties offered by a Motor Ombudsman-accredited provider to help protect against having to pay for costly mechanical and electrical problems.

1. Put time aside to carry out regular basic checks, including tyre pressure and condition, and fluids levels, such as oil, to ensure that they meet vehicle manufacturer-recommended levels;

2. Contact an accredited repairer listed on The Motor Ombudsman’s Business Finder; (TheMotorOmbudsman.org/Business-Finder) in the event of any dashboard warning lights, and squeaks and rattles, as this can indicate something may be wrong and require immediate attention;

3. Keep an eye out for free vehicle health checks at Motor Ombudsman-accredited businesses to stay on top of any issues before they escalate into ones which may be more significant;

4. Consider a service plan to help spread the cost of routine maintenance and avoid the burden of paying a yearly lump sum; and

5. Take a look at extended warranties offered by a Motor Ombudsman-accredited provider to help protect against having to pay for costly mechanical and electrical problems.

“Avoiding repair bills might feel like a tangible saving in the short term, but it often proves a false economy.”

Rebecca Pullan

Owner at Carmaster Garage

To view the businesses that are accredited to The Motor Ombudsman’s Service and Repair Code, visit www.TheMotorOmbudsman.org/Business-Finder.

[1] The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

ENDS

The Motor Ombudsman survey saw 85 service and repair businesses respond online between 03rd and 21st November 2025. Read the full Motor Ombudsman Service and Repair 2025 review and 2026 outlook at:

www.TheMotorOmbudsman.org/useful-information/industry-insights