Cost-of-living pressures are forcing a growing number of Victorian motorists to delay vehicle servicing, with younger drivers and lower-income households feeling the greatest financial strain.
A new Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) survey found almost one-quarter of Victorian motorists could not afford to service their vehicle when it was due. That figure increased to 33 per cent among drivers aged under 35 and households earning less than $90,000 annually. By comparison, just 12 per cent of motorists aged over 55 reported the same problem.
The financial squeeze is also changing motorists’ behaviour, with three in 10 Victorians admitting they had postponed a service specifically to save money.
VACC CEO Peter Jones said the results showed motorists were not simply neglecting their vehicles.
“Victorians aren't neglecting their cars because they don't care – they're being squeezed,” Jones said.
“When a third of young drivers and a third of lower-income households tell us they can't afford a service, that's a cost-of-living story with a road-safety tail.”
However, postponing maintenance can ultimately prove more expensive. According to the survey, 21 per cent of motorists who delayed a repair subsequently faced a bigger-than-expected bill, while 16 per cent required more serious repairs and eight per cent experienced a breakdown.
Despite the financial pressures, VACC found 92 per cent of respondents regarded regular servicing as important, while 80 per cent tried to stay on top of vehicle maintenance.
Unexpected repair costs were a concern for 37 per cent of motorists, increasing to 47 per cent among those aged under 35 and 49 per cent for single-parent families. Only 20 per cent of respondents had a dedicated servicing budget, while 27 per cent did not budget for servicing at all.
Jones said workshops could assist customers by providing transparent pricing and clearly explaining which work was essential.
“The message from motorists is clear – they want honesty and options,” he said.
VACC encouraged motorists facing financial pressure to discuss their circumstances with their repairer rather than simply skipping scheduled maintenance.
The organisation said safety-critical items including brakes, tyres, steering and suspension should remain priorities, while motorists should raise budget concerns with their service provider as early as possible.
The survey also found 39 per cent of motorists wanted lower servicing prices, while 27 per cent wanted clearer pricing. Among drivers under 35, 30 per cent said payment plans would help them manage servicing costs.