Ignorance puts strain on budgets of 5 million motorists

Despite the credit crunch, more than 5 million motorists are risking thousands of pounds by failing to carry out the most basic of car maintenance tasks.

An astonishing 17 percent of UK drivers – or 5.13 million - never check their oil level and, as National Oil Check Week 2009 (June 15-19) is announced in a bid to encourage motorists to take better care of their vehicles, car care specialist Comma has re-launched its campaign website, www.checkyouroil.co.uk.

A further 56 percent of the 3,800 surveyed admitted they either don’t have the time or simply forget to check it regularly.

With the very real threat of an average £1,413 engine repair bill, motorists’ laziness is costing British motorists up to £300 million a year.

Plain ignorance about the importance of motor oil also plays its part. One in seven are so reliant on technology that they don’t believe it’s necessary to check manually and another 1 in 20 don’t even know how to carry out the simple 60-second dipstick test itself.