THE HALFORDS 'FRIEND OF THE MOTORIST' STUDY

THE HALFORDS
‘FRIEND OF THE
MOTORIST’ STUDY
Halfords reports on the issues facing car-dependent Britain

HALFORDS FRIEND OF THE MOTORIST STUDY
The following
study touches
upon the UK’s
dependency
on cars; the
general cost
of motoring
and the
impact this has on UK families.
Our research shows that Britain’s
motorists are really feeling the pinch
as the average family’s dependency
on their car is forcing economies
across the household budget. Over
four in five (84%) of British families
admit to relying on their car more than
ever, with nearly two in three (63%)
families driving every single day.
The biggest problem facing the family car
owner in 2012 is the affordability of motoring,
with some making serious lifestyle
sacrifices and car maintenance cutbacks
to reduce costs. In summary, motorists
are making uncomfortable and potentially
dangerous compromises as they struggle
to find enough disposable income to keep
their vehicles on the road.

HALFORDS FRIEND OF THE MOTORIST STUDY
Car-dependent Britain
Britain’s 50 million regular car users -
that’s drivers and their adult and child
passengers – are feeling the pinch.
Cars are still considered to be an ‘essential
part of everyday family life’ for the majority
(84%) of the population.
As the public transport system struggles to
cope and with a lack of it in many parts of the
country, just 3% of respondents say the car
is “not a necessity”. What’s more, as public
transport becomes prohibitively expensive the
family’s reliance on the car is likely to increase
rather than decrease in the months and years
ahead.
Despite ever increasing fuel costs and soaring
insurance premiums, the car is the preferred
mode of transport for the vast majority of
families in Britain:
63+37
63%
Two in three (63%) families are in their cars
every day, with a further 28% relying on them
at least 2-3 times a week
42+58
42%
Nearly half (42%) drive for two hours
or longer each day
These figures highlight that motoring is a necessity, not a luxury, for the
overwhelming majority of families in Britain. Most popular uses for the car are
day-to-day activities, whereas excursions such as holidays and weekends away
come towards the bottom of the list.
1.
44%
2.
3.
4.
5.
9%
3%
24%
20%
1. Driving to and from work (44%)
2. Family weekly shop (24%)
3. Visiting family and friends (20%)
4. Parental taxi duties, e.g.
the school run (9%)
5. Driving holidays and weekends
away in the UK (3%)

HALFORDS FRIEND OF THE MOTORIST STUDY
Compromises to keep
the car running
The recent rise in VAT from 17.5% to 20%
has inevitably made it more expensive to
purchase new and more fuel-efficient cars, a
fact compounded by the increase in fuel prices
from July. Add to this the costs of car insurance,
maintenance and parking fees and it becomes
clear that motorists are being hit where it hurts
most - in their wallets.
36+64
36%
Over one in three are choosing to visit only those
closer to home
18+82
18%
Nearly one in five are cancelling days out to visit
family and friends
Drivers are being forced to make compromises
in other areas of their lives in order to cope with
the increasing financial demands of owning a
car, with one in six (18%) admitting to sacrificing
elements of their lifestyle in order to run a car.
20+80
20%
One in five are cutting back on other expenditure
such as nights out or leisure activities
10+90
10%
Car sharing to get to work has become more
popular with one in ten saying they have linked
up with colleagues for the daily commute
It seems this reliance on the car has also had a
People were also visiting the supermarket less profound impact on the way people drive, with
and doing more big rather than several over nine in ten motorists (92%) admitting to
smaller shops100
changing their driving habits – by accelerating
more slowly and breaking less harshly - in a
bid to save fuel.

HALFORDS FRIEND OF THE MOTORIST STUDY
Many take chances
One worrying trend from a road safety
perspective is the one in twelve (8%) who
say they delay carrying out essential car
maintenance to save money. Motorists are
always looking for cheaper alternatives to
keep their cars on the road and it seems that
having the car serviced at the dealership is no
longer the norm. Nearly three in ten (27%)
say that one of the best ways they’ve found to
save money is to have their cars serviced at
independent garages or reputable garage chains
rather than booking them into more traditional
and expensive main dealerships.
There is evidence that some cash strapped
motorists (37%) are carrying out their own
simple DIY maintenance. But of this group
less than half would attempt basic tasks like
changing a defective bulb or wiper blade,
topping-up screen-wash or adding coolant to
the radiator. Only one in five would undertake
anything more challenging like replacing a
battery and an even smaller percentage a job
like replacing a fan belt.
It seems today’s complicated high tech engines
are proving too daunting for DIY repairs with
some motorists (44%) saying they simply don’t
have time or the knowledge to try even the
simplest job.
Consequently, almost one driver in ten (8%)
admits to skipping essential car maintenance
in an attempt to save money. A worrying trend
given that this is likely to cost more in the
long-term due to the potential damage caused
to cars by not keeping up with servicing and
maintenance.
Taken across total car ownership this would
mean some one million cars on the road with
unsafe tyres and brakes.
Of this group:
67+33
47+53
37+63
22+78
18+82
More than two thirds
(67%) have failed to
meet their crucially
important deadlines
for annual servicing
Nearly half (47%)
have not replaced their
tyres until the tread is
at minimum level or,
worse still, even lower
and therefore illegal
Ignoring worrying
noises and instrument
panel warning lights
(37%)
Failing to have brake
pads replaced (22%)
Delayed the
replacement of faulty
or defunct bulbs
(18%)

HALFORDS FRIEND OF THE MOTORIST STUDY
Many take chances
Commenting on the research findings, Halfords
Commercial Director, Paul McClenaghan, said:
“It is clear that families
cannot give up their car
– it is an essential part of
their everyday lives and
the cost of motoring is
having a painful impact
on people’s pockets but
putting off maintenance
really is a false economy.
By choosing to ignore
obvious faults or
manufacturers’ advice,
drivers are only delaying
the inevitable and likely to
increase the eventual cost
when something fails – as
well as potentially putting
both themselves and other
road users at risk.
At Halfords we can help
those wanting to take on
their own car DIY with the
essential tools, oils and parts,
but for the majority that can’t,
Halfords Autocentre and We
Fit technicians provide an
excellent value for money
service to help ease the
cost of driving. We also
offer free car safety checks
and free tyre checks at all
Autocentres.”

HALFORDS FRIEND OF THE MOTORIST STUDY
Motorists’ worries
It’s not just the cost of motoring that worries UK drivers. The top three concerns on the road are:
49+51 16+84 15+85
49%
The behaviour
of other drivers
16%
Road conditions
15%
The effect of British
weather on roads
The impact
on tomorrow’s
drivers
The cost of motoring is also affecting future
motorists. It’s not just the property ladder
that is proving tricky to climb, many young
adults are also struggling to get a foot on the
motoring ladder.
48+52
48%
Nearly half say that the cost
of learning to drive is a major
deterrent
30+70
30%
One in three who manage
to pass their tests insist
they can’t afford to buy
and run cars
22+78
22%
Nearly a quarter will be
insured on the family car
rather than have their own
20+80
20+80 15+85
20%
Two in ten parents are opting
to teach their own kids due
to the high cost of paying for
qualified professionals
20%
One in five parents to do
the purchasing instead
15%
More than one in ten are
giving up every day luxuries
in order to run a car

HALFORDS FRIEND OF THE MOTORIST STUDY
Conclusion: It’s clear that owning a car
is stretching family budgets in the UK
today and with four in five relying on
their car more than ever, the rising cost
of motoring is a growing concern.
However the pace of modern life and the work
and childcare commitments that people have
means that families cannot give up their car – it
is an essential part of their everyday lives. Most
respondents in the survey are looking for ways
to save cost with 27% of people now opting
to have their car serviced at an independent
garage rather than at a dealership to save
money.
To keep the family car on the road compromises
and sacrifices are being made across the family
budget. One worrying trend though is that a
significant number admit to cutting corners on
car maintenance to save money which could
mean there are a large number of unsafe cars
on the road.
With many unable to carry out the simplest car
maintenance jobs, Halfords are pleased to offer
expert advice and value for money fitting, We Fit
and Autocentre services to help ease the cost
of driving.
In summary, it appears that the affordability of
motoring in 2012 is hitting families hard and with
the recent increase in pump prices from July this
year, the pressure on the family purse looks set
to continue.
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page at www.facebook.com/HalfordsUK

HALFORDS FRIEND OF OF THE MOTORIST STUDY
Halfords – Friend of the Motorist
As the friend of the motorist, Halfords
wants a driver’s life on the road to
be as enjoyable, safe and as costeffective
as possible. That’s why
Halfords has recruited a panel of
2,000 drivers in Britain to find out how
dependent UK families are on the car,
so we can understand more about
motorists’ needs.

HALFORDS FRIEND OF OF THE MOTORIST STUDY
Halfords’ money-saving suggestions
Despite the obvious and growing cost
pressures on them, car owners can
instantly take several straightforward,
easily achievable steps to reduce
their annual expenditure on driving.
Our money-saving suggestions are:
• Investing in the right car, which is one that
a) has a low insurance group rating, b)
possesses a decent service/maintenance
history and, c) will hold its value well before
being sold on at a later date.
• Adopting a light-footed driving approach
to reduce fuel consumption.
• Ensuring that engines are tuned and
serviced properly at least once a year will
also enhance fuel consumption, as will
correctly inflated tyres and the removal of
unnecessary weight and roof racks/boxes
when they’re not being used.
• Carrying out regular checks on oil and
other fluid levels, plus brakes, windscreen,
bodywork, wheels, tyres are other
essentials. Halfords can help with our free
car health check and tyre safety checks
at all Autocentres. Time and money spent
on protecting and enhancing exteriors and
interiors will pay dividends when the time
comes to trade the car in or sell it direct to
another motorist.

HALFORDS FRIEND OF THE MOTORIST STUDY
Halfords is the UK’s leading retailer
of automotive and leisure products.
Halfords now lets you reserve
products online which will be ready
for you to collect in just one hour.
If the product is out of stock, place
your order before 6pm Monday to
Friday and it will be ready to collect
from midday the following day.
With over 260 centres nationwide,
Halfords Autocentres is the UK’s
leading independent car servicing,
repair, tyre and MOT network. Now
part of the Halfords group, our name
may be new, but our centres have
been a feature of the towns and
cities of Britain for a decade or more.
Halfords Autocentres provides
dealership quality work at affordable
prices to around 650,000 customers
every year, with over 8 out of 10
saying that they would recommend
us to a friend. Our expert service is
backed with both a quality and price
guarantee: work is guaranteed for
12 months or 12,000 miles, and we
promise to match any price quoted
locally like for like. See website for
terms and conditions.
www.halfords.com
www.halfordsautocentres.com