MOTORISTS are reported to have missed weddings, concerts – and even holidays due to car troubles.
A poll of 2,000 motorists found 61 per cent have had their plans scuppered thanks to a car problems, with one in twenty of those completely missing a loved one’s wedding.
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Others have had to cancel holidays (five per cent), have missed flights (four per cent) and a job interview (four per cent).
Family gatherings (11 per cent), day trips (eight per cent) and hospital appointments (six per cent) are also among the events that have been missed altogether due to car issues.
With flat tyres or punctures (52 per cent), battery failures (39 per cent), and engine warning lights (28 per cent) the most likely faults to wreak havoc on journey plans.
It also emerged summer is considered the worst time to experience car trouble, with 30 per cent confessing it’s the season they have the most plans they rely on their vehicle for.
The study was commissioned by Vixa – a car health assistant from The AA – which has teamed up with UK garage talent and So Solid Crew Member Lisa Maffia as part of their Garage Bangers campaign, to create a nostalgic summer track ‘Keep it Rollin’ in a car garage.
It features real engine sounds and beats, aiming to raise awareness of how summer car troubles can ruin plans.
Matt Barker from the brand, said: “With summer upon us, many of us depend on our cars to enjoy holidays, share day trips or head to important events.
“Sometimes problems seem to come out of nowhere – leading to disappointment and frustration from drivers and passengers alike.
“Use of a car health assistant and regular maintenance checks can help you to stay on top of things and alert you to potential issues.
“There are some simple checks we can do to ensure our car is in the best possible shape.
“And hopefully the lyrics to this track will help people to remember what to do.”
The research also revealed a quarter of motorists have turned down an invite or travel plan simply because they didn’t trust their car to make the journey.
Of those affected by car issues, 20 per cent put it down to trying to ‘make do’ with older vehicles.
But 18 per cent admitted they lack knowledge about car maintenance – and often ignore strange noises coming from their motor which in turn has contributed to disruption to plans.
When it comes to the summer months specifically, more than one in 10 experienced overheating engines, while nine per cent admitted to suffering a full tyre blowout.
Overall, these incidents left nearly half feeling frustrated (49 per cent) and stressed (46 per cent).
With one in seven (14 per cent) left embarrassed – and the same number felt guilty for letting others down according to the OnePoll.com data.
But while 40 per cent try to stay on top of their car’s health – they do sometimes miss things.
With 30 per cent opting to go to a garage in the event of a minor issue, whereas a quarter (26 per cent) try to fix it themselves.
Matt Barker from Vixa added: “From missed holidays to disrupted weddings, summer car trouble can throw a real spanner in the works.
“Garage Bangers brings that message to life in a fun and relatable way.
“It’s all about helping people enjoy the moments that matter — and making sure car trouble doesn’t get in the way.”
