MOTORISTS REDISCOVER THE ENJOYMENT OF DRIVING
Motorists are re-discovering the enjoyment of driving according to fresh research from Halfords Autocentres.
Over a quarter of drivers (27%) now enjoy using the car as their preferred method of transportation – more than double the number of 2012.
Fewer drivers now view their car merely as a ‘workhorse’ – declining to 63% from 84% two years ago as the enjoyment has returned.
The findings are from Halfords Autocentres ‘Friend of the Motorist Study’ – a biennial look into how dependent people are on their cars, the issues that concern motorists and how these factors affect the behaviour of both seasoned and newly qualified drivers.
The 2014 Friend of the Motorist Study builds on previous research carried out by the leading independent garage chain in 2012 and highlights how great an influence the return to greater economic stability is having.
Rory Carlin from Halfords Autocentres explains: “Since the car is still an essential for most people (63%) and the majority (58%) use their car every day for things like getting to work (41%) and shopping (23%) it’s good to see signs that Britain’s drivers are beginning to enjoy their motoring again.
“Whilst there are undoubtedly more smiles per mile than there were a couple of years ago, they could be wiped away for many people when their car goes in for its MOT because a significant number (48%) of drivers don’t try to identify any potential issues with their car ahead of this annual check of its roadworthiness.”
The Friend of the Motorist Study also found that we are generally driving more, with average drive times of more than one hour per day increasing from 42% to 48%, and fewer people driving only at weekends. There has also been an increase in the number of parents ferrying children to school and extra-curricular activities (up from 2% to 13%).
Of the drivers that admitted not preparing their car for an MOT, 18% said that they did not even think about the test itself until the day it goes to the garage, whilst nearly a third (29%) said their lack of mechanical knowledge meant they wouldn’t know where to start.
To help Halfords Autocentres has produced a series of helpful videos that form a easy to follow guide pointing out the most common MOT failure items including; failed headlight and tail light bulbs, worn tyres and split wiper blades - which are available at www.youtube.com/halfordsautocentre
Commenting on the Friend of the Motorist Study findings, motoring journalist Maria McCarthy said:
“We tend to take our cars for granted – expecting them to sit patiently outside the front door and take us wherever we want to go.
“But we're so reliant on them that if they break down it can throw our lives into turmoil, so it's really worth looking after your car with regular checks and prompt repairs - then it's more able to look after you.”
To read or download Halfords Autocentres Friend of the Motorists Study in full visit www.halfordsautocentres.com/friend-of-the-motorist
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Media contacts: Stuart Humphreys, Automotive PR Manager - T: 01527 513410, M: 07738 751930
E: stuart.humphreys@halfords.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
Friend of the Motorist research based 2037 respondents to a survey conducted by Your Say Pays during February 2014.
About Halfords Autocentres
As a leading independent MOT, car service, repair and tyre garage network, Halfords Autocentres carries out 400,000 MOTs a year. It employs highly trained ATA accredited technicians who use the latest in vehicle diagnostic equipment at over 300 UK sites to deliver dealership quality work at affordable prices.
Being independent experts means that we are able to service, repair and maintain any make or model of car in line with the manufacturer’s standards, whilst offering a local price match promise and peace of mind in the form of a minimum guarantee of 12 months or 12,000 miles on work carried out. (See website for terms and conditions).
The Halfords Autocentres name may be a recent addition to the Halfords Group, but our heritage spans more than three decades and we serve over 750,000 customers every year - with over 9 out of 10 of them being happy to recommend us to their friends.
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