New research from recovery service Green Flag has revealed a startling fact: over 1.3 million UK motorists are driving without an up-to-date service record. 

That means 10% of vehicles on UK roads could be operating with worn brakes, ageing oil, or undetected faults – putting drivers at risk of breakdowns, costly repairs, and putting lives at risk.

Even more concerning? 5% of drivers (690,000 people) don’t even know when their car is next due for a service! 

With 34 million cars on UK roads, that’s potentially two million vehicles running on borrowed time. But what’s causing this, and what can be done about it?

WHY ARE DRIVERS SKIPPING SERVICES?

We don’t have to tell you that regular servicing is crucial for safety and performance. And when done regularly, it can actually save money in the long run. But many motorists have started to avoid it for four key reasons:

1. COST CONCERNS

Rising living expenses have forced many households to cut back their budgets. Anything that’s not absolutely pressing (or legally required) is going to suffer as a result. In the research, a third (33%) of drivers admitted they can’t afford servicing. The tragic irony of this is that skipping maintenance often leads to higher repair bills later and bigger risks – like engine damage, or brake failure from using worn pads.

2. COMPLACENCY

A quarter of motorists believe their car runs fine, so it doesn’t need a service. And this is a pretty dangerous assumption. Some critical issues can show no symptoms whatsoever – until it’s too late. The last thing you want is a nasty surprise while you’re in control of a fast moving car. Servicing saves lives, and most of us would never know it.

3. TIME AND TRUST

13% of drivers claim they’re too busy for garage visits, and 12% worry about finding a reliable mechanic. That’s understandable to a degree – cowboys are everywhere, unfortunately. But the garage trade has been in a good place for quite some time now. And as for being too busy… Well, aren’t we all?! 

Yet we still find time to brush our teeth, hoover up our crumbs and do our dishes – because basic maintenance tasks are essential – and it should be for your car as well. If you’re too busy to service your car, then surely you’re too busy to drive it to the cinema, to the park, or to a staycation.

4. IGNORANCE

One in ten drivers aren’t even aware their cars require scheduled servicing.

THE CONSEQUENCES: MORE THAN JUST BREAKDOWNS

SAFETY RISKS

Unserviced cars are more likely to suffer sudden failures, like brake degradation (leading to longer stopping distances), tyre blowouts and aquaplaning, and engine seizures from sludge buildup in old oil. These can have devastating results at high speed. 

Neglect also accelerates wear on timing belts, transmissions, and exhaust systems, which while not all safety-critical, are pretty major failure points that can compromise overall vehicle safety – not to mention the safety of your finances…

FINANCIAL RISKS

A car left unserviced can solely cascade into costly repairs. As an example, a £150 service could have prevented a £2,000 engine rebuild if the issue was caught earlier.

Even if your car’s brand new, with a decent warranty, some manufacturers will deny warranty claims if servicing lapses.

And finally, a car without a proper service history has a lower resale value. 73% of buyers prioritise full service history – learn more in our service history guide.

HOW TO STAY PROTECTED

BUDGET FOR SERVICING

Set aside a few quid a month to save up for your car service – and see it as essential, like a boiler check or an MOT. When the time comes, use a trusted independent garage. We’re usually a lot cheaper than dealers and branded branches.

FOLLOW THE SCHEDULE

As a general rule, oil and filter changes should be done every 10,000 miles or 12 months, same as basic checks. Get a full car service at least every 2 years (or per your manufacturer’s guidelines) – although we’d recommend that the 10,000 miles or 12 month rule should apply here, too.

SPOT EARLY WARNING SIGNS

Don’t ignore dashboard warning lights, unusual noises (like grinding or knocking), unusual smells, or performance drops. These are the signs your car is giving you to say “I need help!”.

AN MOT ISN’T ENOUGH

While MOTs check basic roadworthiness, they don’t cover engine health, fluid quality, or long-term wear. Servicing is the only way to catch hidden issues before they escalate.

BOOK A CAR SERVICE WITH MASTER TECH AUTOS

We’ll help get your motor running. Call 023 8061 1161 or contact us to book your car service.