Drivers risk fines when dismissing basic vehicle maintenance, warns Close Brothers

Critical, safety-focused vehicle maintenance has become a blind spot for some UK drivers, according to research from Close Brothers Motor Finance.

With data from the RAC revealing that more than 10,000 drivers received penalty points last year for driving unroadworthy vehicles, Close Brothers Motor Finance found that 88% of motorists fail to always check their tyre tread depth, while 20% rarely or never check it at all.

Close Brothers said that this lack of basic maintenance leaves drivers exposed to sudden tyre failures alongside legal consequences, including three penalty points on their licence and fines up to £2,500.

15% of motorists always checked their tyre pressure before a trip, leaving the remaining 85% to skip it regularly.

Meanwhile, another fifth (20%) rarely or never checked their engine oil levels.

Nearly a quarter (23%) rarely or never bothered to conduct essential winter safety checks.

When it comes to routine vehicle maintenance, motorists were found to rarely or never conduct winter checks (23%), check their tyre tread depth (20%), check their engine oil levels (20%), or check their tyre pressure (13%).

John Cassidy, managing director of Close Brothers Motor Finance, said: “The RAC’s findings serve as a stark reminder of the risks posed by unroadworthy vehicles.