‘Driving under pressure’

Motor Ombudsman study

A Motor Ombudsman study shows driving under pressure is costing the nation’s motorists at least £112 million every year in lost tyres.

• A study by The Motor Ombudsman has revealed that the nation’s drivers may be unnecessarily forfeiting the use of at least £112 million worth of tyres every year due to under-inflation
• An estimated 57% of cars on UK roads are running with pressures at 10% less than those recommended by vehicle manufacturers, resulting in accelerated tyre wear and lower lifespans
• Findings have also shown that over a third of UK car drivers (37%) would not feel confident topping up the air in their tyres
• The research has been published as part of The Motor Ombudsman’s ‘Make Time for Tyres’ campaign. The initiative has been designed to highlight the importance of drivers prioritising checking their vehicle’s tyres to ensure they are both safe and legal all year round, especially ahead of the summer holiday getaway

A study by The Motor Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for the automotive sector, Crescent Motoring Services work closely with has made a revelation.  It has been revealed that drivers using their cars with tyres that are inflated below vehicle manufacturer-recommended levels, is costing the nation’s motorists at millions annually in wasted rubber. As well as presenting many hidden dangers, and increasing fuel consumption, running with less air than needed – also known as ‘under-inflation’, means that tyres wear out far quicker than they should, thereby reducing their lifespan.

According to figures from the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (BTMA), and charity TyreSafe, it is estimated that 57% of cars on UK roads have tyre pressures at 10% less than what is recommended by vehicle manufacturers. With around 33 million cars in circulation, this equates to around 19 million cars, or approximately 75 million tyres that are below par in terms of the levels they should be inflated to.

A 16-inch tyre is one of the most commonly-seen tyre sizes on cars across the country, and priced at an average of £85 per tyre. This means, the total bill handed to the nation’s drivers for tyres worn down prematurely, is at least an avoidable £112 million every year, equating to a preventable annual loss of 1.3 million tyres. Shocking really. Just for the sake of us not wanting to inflate our tyres, it really is imperative  to ensure this can be done easily and efficiently.

Furthermore, as part of The Motor Ombudsman study, a survey of 1,000 UK car drivers was also carried out to gauge their level of confidence when it comes to maintaining a car. The findings showed that more than a third of respondents (37%) said they would not feel comfortable topping up the air in their tyres, which may be due to leaving them under or over-inflated, whilst over half (51%) explained they would shy away from measuring the tread depth to ensure it was above the legal limit of 1.6mm.

The findings of the study have been published as part of The Motor Ombudsman’s ‘Make Time for Tyres’ tyre safety awareness campaign, ahead of the summer holiday getaway, where millions traditionally take to the road for their vacation. The Motor Ombudsman initiative, which is supported by both TyreSafe, and tyre safety campaigner Sophie Lyden, has been designed to highlight the need for drivers to spend time looking at their vehicle’s tyres to ensure they are both safe and legal, and to visit a Motor Ombudsman-accredited business for any routine maintenance or ad hoc repairs to their car.

Motor Ombudsman quote:

Bill Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director of The Motor Ombudsman, said: “Under-inflated tyres carry a number of risks and costs. The purpose of our study and ‘Make Time for Tyres’ campaign, is to draw attention to the importance of drivers and vehicle owners caring for their tyres. This is so that they stay safe at all times, and benefit from using them to their full potential. Avoiding any unnecessary expense is especially pertinent with the current financial pressures on the nation’s motorists.”

Speaking about the campaign, Stuart Lovatt, Chair at TyreSafe, explained: “Under-inflation compromises tyre and vehicle performance, and can ultimately cost drivers and vehicle owners dearly. The Motor Ombudsman study has clearly shown this. We strongly urge motorists to observe the pressure levels recommended by vehicle manufacturers. This is because, they have been calculated with absolute precision to ultimately keep vehicle users safe when on the road.”

Checking your tyres regularly

Backing the initiative, Sophie Lyden, tyre safety campaigner, and Depot Manager at Westgate Tyres in Morecambe, Lancashire, added: “Regardless of the length of journeys being undertaken, whether it is a short commute, or a longer trip away, drivers should check their tyres at least ONCE a month. This is to ensure that they are safe and legal. This includes the tread depth, pressure, and their overall condition at the four corners of the car, and of course, they should also take a look at the spare in the boot, should they have one.

“If motorists are unsure as to what to look out for, and how to carry out basic safety observations, they should seek help from a Motor Ombudsman-accredited business like ourselves. These small checks only take a few minutes, but the repercussions of not giving tyres the due care and attention they deserve, is far more costly in the long-run in terms of time and repairs. We therefore advise all motorists to keep an eye on their tyres for the benefit of all occupants and road users.”

Remember ‘Driving under pressure’ is not a great idea. We all need to be a little more aware.

To access The Motor Ombudsman’s information resources and tips on tyres, visit www.TheMotorOmbudsman.org/Tyres.

Alternatively, give Joe or Stuart a call at Crescent Motoring Services and we can check them for you. Call on 01283 509000.