Taking care of a vehicle is more of a pleasure than a chore for most car owners. While most drivers wash and vacuum their vehicle at least once a month, many forget to make critical performance checks.
Research commissioned by Kwik Fit unearthed the top car care procedures carried out by 2,028 UK drivers.
Despite an average 65% of car owners regularly carrying out car care activities such as washing or vacuuming, more than seven out of ten (73%) don't perform regular brake checks.
When asked why drivers were unmotivated to carry out the checks, half of British drivers (48%) confessed this was due to lack of motoring knowledge. Worryingly, a quarter of car owners admitted that they were equipped with the right knowledge to carry out the checks, but had just failed to do so.
Female drivers are even less careful about the state of their vehicles' brakes, with only 21% of them checking them regularly in comparison to 34% of men.
Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, stressed that a car's brakes are the most important system in keeping a car safe on the road, along with its tyres. Griggs regretted that the only time many UK cars owners will check brakes is during an annual MOT and service.
"With so few motorists checking their brakes, it suggests that many are waiting until the more obvious signs of deterioration appear - such as squealing, grinding, sponginess or worse, failure. Unfortunately this could be an all too costly delay," he said.
Car care across the UK
The survey concluded that drivers in East Anglia take the fewest measures to maintain their cars. This group scored the lowest in both brake checks and monthly car washing or vacuuming. This was closely followed by drivers in Wales and the South East.
In contrast, car owners in the South West are the most likely to take good care of their vehicles. 71% of them carry out car care activities at least once a month and 31% perform brake checks.
