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January 2023 - Automotive

A quarter of drivers are unable to identify what's under their car's bonnet: While many people in the UK regularly drive a car, a survey has revealed that there are many UK motorists who cannot perform simple maintenance checks, such as topping up washer fluid or checking the oil.

The research found that a quarter of UK motorists are clueless when it comes to what hides beneath their car's bonnet, which could result in some vehicles falling short when it comes to road safety - not to mention costing more when they go in for their annual service!

The survey of 2,000 motorists by breakdown assistance provider, Green Flag, found that a third of motorists polled were unsure about how to top up the screen wash in their vehicle, while a  fifth of respondents (20%) said they did not know how to check their car's oil levels or identify the dipstick needed to do so.

The research also revealed that almost a third of respondents (31%) rely on a trained professional to identify any issues during annual servicing.

As part of the research, respondents were shown photographs of key engine parts and asked to identify them. It found that just half the motorists polled could correctly identify a car's tyre pressure warning light, while more than two-fifths (43%) were not able to flag a warning light for the braking system, and a little more than a third were not confident in spotting the engine warning light.

Katie Lomas, head of Green Flag Breakdown, said: “It’s essential to carry out regular car maintenance checks to ensure your car is safe to drive, but many drivers wouldn’t know where to start.

“Without regular checks cars can quickly develop faults that can be dangerous and expensive to repair. Although these checks are quick and easy, a significant number of drivers end-up with unnecessary expenses because they would rather pay a mechanic to conduct this work.”

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