Motortrades Insight Magazine Online
Breakdown industry booming from car - clueless drivers
WITH the cold weather now an everyday reality, basic car maintenance is important to ensure vehicles are reliable and can run smoothly through even the coldest spells. So why do two thirds of motorists not own basic car maintenance tools?"While cars are becoming more reliable, basic car maintenance knowledge is decreasing," said Peter Horton, Managing Director of Britannia Rescue. "Many people are unable to change a tyre or jump start a flat battery that can be caused by human error, so there will always be a growing demand for the breakdown industry."
Recent research from the AA also suggests around 80 per cent of roadside breakdowns could be avoided if fluid levels were checked and topped-up regularly.
"There has been in decline in the level of car maintenance knowledge that people have," Mr Horton added. "93 per cent of motorists can not name common car tools and 62 per cent do not own basic car maintenance tools such as a tyre pump or car battery charger."
With weather experts having predicted below-average temperatures for November and the possibility of snow across the UK, it comes as little surprise that Mr Horton called for more roads to be gritted. "Where roads aren't properly gritted, it can often be very difficult for our drivers to get to customers on icy roads. Safety has to be a key consideration."
"I expect large parts of this winter to be very cold and exceptionally snowy in comparison to last year," said Exacta Weather's James Madden, who specialises in predicting long range forecasts.
Mr Horton is urging garages across the UK to remind their customers to carry a can of de-icer and a scraper - at little more than a few pounds expense.
"The main challenge in winter is the increase in the number of calls we receive," he explained. "Breaking down at any time of year is a stressful experience but we have dealt with people in extremely stressful situations such as breaking down on the way to a wedding or an interview."
Meanwhile, the AA has now introduced a fast portable charger for electric car breakdowns. The company claims it will provide eco-drivers with a fast boost of electricity if their battery 'simply stops dead'. "We have to keep evaluating new technology to better understand how we can fix potential problems at the roadside," said AA technical head Donald MacSporran.
As more and more new technologies come onto our roads, new problems will occur and the breakdown industry will always thrive on being called out to help those who encounter technical difficulties with their vehicles on the road.
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