Cash-strapped motorists are delaying vehicle repairs

The tough economic times Britons are facing are having a huge impact on vehicle maintenance as cash-strapped motorists delay repairs.

According to new research from Britannia Rescue, people are delaying essential repairs because they cannot afford them and in some cases are taking to the roads in vehicles that are not legally fit to be driven.

The organisation claims that there are an estimated seven million illegal vehicles on Britain's roads, with one in five British motorists admitting to having driven a car that did not have a valid MOT.

On average, Britannia Rescue claimed, cash-strapped car owners wait an average of four months before making their vehicles road worthy.

Vanessa Chance, spokeswoman for the firm, said: "I think the overwhelming thing is that money's tight. When we speak to people, they don't deliberately go out to break the law."

She claimed that for others, uncertainties about what makes are car unsuitable for the road were the problem. Mrs Chance noted that many people will spot problems but will not realise that failing to repair them will leave them on the wrong side of the law.

"For ourselves, as a road rescue provider, we are trying to raise the profile of this issue to get people thinking about car maintenance again," she claimed, concluding that motorists need to also realise that failing to maintain their vehicles can potentially put themselves and other people at risk.

"If your brake lights aren't working, the person behind might not see that you're trying to stop and you put yourself in a very difficult position there," she concluded.

One of the best ways to avoid maintenance costs is to opt for car leasing instead of buying a vehicle.

This goes for fleet operators, as well as private motorists, who can save a small fortune by letting someone else take care of repairs.