NEW DRIVERS DREAMING OF PERSONAL FREEDOM FACE HARSH FINANCIAL REALITY
A growing number of new drivers have to rely on financial assistance from their parents and cut back on non-essential spending in order to fund their motoring according to new figures from Halfords Autocentres.
The independent garage business has found that, despite the economic upturn, almost two thirds (59%) of new drivers rely on parents or family to meet their motoring costs (up from 20% in 2012) and more than a third (33%) are making sacrifices in order to remain mobile (up from 15%).
Rory Carlin from Halfords Autocentres commented: “For many new drivers the dream of freedom and personal mobility that having a car represents is a far cry from the reality they experience once they have passed their test.
“A significant proportion of new drivers dramatically underestimate the cost of motoring and the importance of on-going maintenance in particular – placing an increased reliance on the bank of mom and dad.”
However, there are early signs that parents are no longer as willing or able to subsidise their children’s motoring – with more than half of learners now paying for their own driving lessons and saving hard in order to afford or contribute to paying for their own car insurance.
Halfords Autocentres research found that 37% of new drivers do not understand the importance of car maintenance and a further 33% were uncertain – compared to the 30% that do.
When asked about affording regular servicing or unforeseen repairs, 42% said they do not budget for them in advance and 28% were uncertain - whilst 29% reported that they do.
Commenting on the findings, Maria McCarthy author of ‘The Girls' Car Handbook’ added: “Passing your driving test is a triumph and buying your first car feels like a rite of passage into adulthood.
“But it’s important for new drivers to realise that keeping their motor on the road doesn’t just involve filling it up at the pump. Other costs like servicing, MOTs, repairs and insurance all need to be budgeted for in advance.”
To read Halfords Autocentres research in full visit http://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 Q1 2014.
About Halfords Autocentres
Halfords Autocentres is a leading independent garage network with a heritage spanning more than three decades.
Highly trained technicians at over 300 Halfords Autocentres carry out over 1 million jobs a year - including MOTs, car servicing and repairs as well as tyre sales and fitting - for over 850,000 customers a year, with more than 9 out of 10 of them being happy to recommend us to their friends.
Being independent means that we deliver dealership quality work at more affordable prices for any make or model of car. We offer a price match guarantee and a minimum guarantee of 12 months or 12,000 miles on work carried out (See website for terms and conditions).
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