Have you heard of the phrase ‘Garage Anxiety’? This is a term used to describe drivers who are concerned about taking their vehicles to garages for services or repairs, as they worry about being ‘ripped off’, lack trust in garages, or fear a large bill they can’t afford. 

In our survey of drivers aged 17-24 years in Warwickshire, just 3% reported delaying or ignoring an MOT when required, compared with 50% who reported delaying or ignoring a service. The main reason given was the fear of the cost / being overcharged by the garage due to their age and inexperience.  

Maintaining your vehicle properly means you’re less likely to break down, receive points and fines or be involved in a collision. 

However, many drivers avoid having their vehicles serviced due to a lack of trust in garages and fear of large bills they can’t afford. We have teamed up with Whitmoore Auto Centre, Atherstone, Just Nice Clean Cars Warwick, and Pro Tyre to address some of these fears and encourage all drivers to maintain service schedules, get their vehicles checked when warning lights appear, and carry out their own simple maintenance checks.  

Top Tips to help with Garage Anxiety:

• When you’re considering using a garage for service or repairs on your vehicle, check out their reviews online. 

• Check whether the garage is signed up with the Motor Ombudsman or the Good Garage Scheme online.

• Many garages across Warwickshire now offer payment plans so you can spread the cost across an agreed number of months. 

• Many garages in Warwickshire offer free Winter and Summer safety checks on your vehicles.