PixabayA new survey has discovered millions of British car owners are paying for car repairs but have no idea what they are for.
Most car owners give off an air of confidence when it comes to matters of their motor and are usually reluctant to take it to a fully qualified mechanic. When they do finally give in and bring their car to a garage they’re spending on average £342 on bills and repairs.
The survey which was conducted over the last year showed that 60 per cent of car owners who bring their cars in for repair didn’t even understand what kind of repairs they’re paying for. One in five didn’t even ask what wrong with their vehicle in the first place while almost half just trusted their mechanic to get the job done.
Pixabay2000 adults participated in the survey, which was carried out by Compare The Market to mark the launch of their Jargon Buster feature. This new tool will help motorists when it comes to understanding mechanical lingo and terminology that may go over their heads.
John Miles, head of motor, at Compare The Market, said:
The Jargon Buster is a fantastic resource for those who want to up their knowledge.
With hundreds of vehicle phrases and complex terminology being used by motor industry professionals, it’s understandable that many people struggle to understand what they all mean.
Our tool helps customers understand fully what it is they are paying for, helping them to avoid overpaying on future fixtures, so they can make their decisions with confidence.
Max PixelCompare The Market’s research also showed a quarter of the people in their survey only pretended to understand what was being told to them by the mechanic just to save spending more time in the garage.
Furthermore when it came to understanding the basic driving terms the drivers’ deficiencies were further exposed.
The survey revealed: One in five (21 per cent) thought MOT stands for Motorised Occupancy Test (It’s Ministry of Transport) 30 per cent thought ABS means Advanced braking System (Anti-Lock Braking System) and some even thought DVLA stood for Department of Vehicles, Licences and AEROSPACE (Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency).
The survey further revealed 62 per cent of drivers simply avoided the garage entirely while another 40 per cent cited their main gripe with going to a garage was being overcharged.
