Risks of winter driving put off 3.3 million motorists
Research from eBay has found that more than three million motorists do not believe their cars are properly prepared for the risks of winter driving.
It found that 11%, or 3.3 million people in the UK, drive less in winter because they are worried their cars will not be able to handle winter conditions and the risk of breakdown is higher.
Compounding the issue is the higher number of motorists who neglect basic car checks and maintenance during the winter.
Its analysis has revealed that 25% of drivers only check car tyre pressure on a quarterly basis, with more than one in 10 (11%) only checking it once a year.
Meanwhile, 19% admit their brakes are only tested during annual services of MOTs while only 28% and 23% respectively check washer fluid and oil levels on a monthly basis. Five per cent say they never check their oil levels.
Abir Tewari, UK director commercial operations parts and accessories at eBay, said:
“With the British winter firmly here to stay for at least the next two months, it’s vital that motorists carry out some of the key basic maintenance checks. From tyre tread and pressure to brake disc wear and oil levels, these are the kind of easy bits of maintenance that prevent motorists finding themselves stranded on the side of a motorway, or worse.”
