Scottish car owners could spend £256 more to keep themselves on the road in 2025 compared with last year.
According to new research, four-fifths of motorists (82%) are spending more on driving-related expenses now than they were at this time last year, so it’s unsurprising that nearly a third (31%) are worried about the cost of driving.
And as a result of the increased costs, it’s believed 5.3 million motorists could struggle to keep their cars on the road this year – with young motorists most likely to be impacted.
Motorpoint surveyed 2,022 UK car owners across the UK and found that drivers under 25 were most likely to notice their car-related expenses were increasing and would be 46% more likely to consider selling their car due to rising costs than older motorists.
When it came to the expenses, motorists aged 17-24 were most concerned about:
-
31% were worried about the cost of filling up their car
-
31% were concerned about the cost of car insurance
-
16% were finding it more difficult to afford their car payments
Discussing the findings, Tim Rodie, Motorpoint’s resident driving expert said: “For those who live in remote areas or don’t have access to a well-connected public transport network, car ownership can be a lifeline. While we’ve seen the cost of driving increase considerably over the last few years, it’s clear from our research that young drivers are the most likely to be impacted.
“Unless something changes, we’re reaching a point where Gen X may be priced out of car ownership altogether which is really worrying.”
To help motorists manage the cost of driving, Tim has shared some suggestions to help reduce costs:
Really shop around when it’s time to renew your insurance
“With the average cost of car insurance currently £834, it’s worth taking the time to make sure you understand how car insurance works as many things can impact your premiums.
“Rather than letting your insurance auto-renew, use a price comparison website to find out how much other insurers would charge for the same level of coverage. Generally, you can take out a new policy up to 29 days before your current insurance ends, so locking in a quote early will normally result in the biggest savings.”
Use technology to minimise your fuel costs
“While good driving habits will have the biggest impact on fuel economy, it’s worth utilising free tools to make sure you can go longer between filling up. Apps like Waze are useful for spotting unexpected delays that could affect your journey as you can burn through a lot of fuel when stuck in traffic or heading down an unexpected detour.”
Make sure you are benefitting from cashback and loyalty schemes
“While it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when looking for ways to cut driving costs, cashback and loyalty schemes are a great way to help ensure you aren’t spending more than you need to on car-related expenses.
“Supermarkets often offer discounts on insurance and fuel vouchers to customers that are part of their loyalty scheme – it’s worth keeping an eye out as this could reduce your car-related costs.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.