Drivers 'cutting spending on cars'

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The recession is causing motorists to delay routine vehicle checks and services in an attempt to save money, according to a survey.

The Glass's Guide used car valuation website, www.glass.co.uk, found that almost half of those surveyed had put off spending money on their cars in the past year, with 15 per cent postponing a professional service.

Meanwhile 8 per cent admitted that they hadn't bought replacement tyres, a potentially dangerous move, while 15 per cent had put off getting bodywork repairs. A further 13 per cent said they hadn't had a scheduled check on their car's air conditioning system.

Andy Carroll, Managing Director at Glass's said: "While it is inevitable that some consumers will respond to deteriorating economic conditions by cutting back on aspects of their motoring expenditure, it is concerning that scheduled services and tyre purchases are being deferred."

"These are crucial for safety, and also have an impact on resale values. Prospective buyers are always more likely to buy a car which has a full service history over one that does not. Moreover, by delaying these important checks and thus missing manufacturer-stated service intervals, motorists are putting warranty cover at risk."

The survey also revealed that people were unwilling to spend money on accessories for their cars, with 24 per cent saying they were avoiding spending on things such as alloy wheels and satellite navigation systems.

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