New research from the RAC Report on Motoring 2025 reveals that two-thirds (65%) of drivers experienced unexpected car repair costs in the past year, an increase from 59% the previous year. The average unexpected bill now stands at £650, up by £33 since 2024.
This increased cost is severely straining household finances, with three-quarters (76%) of motorists reporting they would find it difficult to afford an unexpected repair bill. Nearly four-in-ten (39%) say they would struggle to pay a bill of up to £500. This challenge is particularly acute among the under-25s, where 57% would find a £500 bill hard to afford.
Drivers with older vehicles are the most affected, with 74% of those owning cars more than 10 years old facing surprise bills, compared to the 65% national average. The most common unexpected costs are:
- Tyre replacement/repair (54%)
- Brake repair (26%)
- Suspension repairs (18%)
Facing these financial pressures, a minority of drivers are adopting riskier cost-saving measures: 12% are having their car serviced less frequently, and 5% are relying solely on the annual MOT to identify problems.
Nick Mullender, RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, advised that regular servicing generally works out “far cheaper than having to get a more major repair carried out in a hurry.” He noted the convenience and affordability of services like RAC Mobile Mechanics, which can carry out routine servicing and repairs at a customer’s home or workplace.
Source: RAC
