The financial toll of keeping a vehicle roadworthy is a growing concern for many car owners – with previous research showing that 25% of drivers have either delayed or entirely refrained from carrying out routine car maintenance such as changing a tyre or fixing a chipped windscreen, due to the cost.
With car repair costs increasing further every single year, the driving experts at Scrap Car Comparison have used the current rate of inflation to calculate the predicted increase in the cost of common car repairs vehicle owners could be faced with in the future.
The study reveals what car repairs could be costing motorists in ten and even fifty years’ time – showing that in just a few decades time, drivers could be paying thousands of pounds for routine repairs such as a tyre change or car battery replacement.
Topping the list as one of the most expensive car repairs was a clutch replacement, which in 2024 costs on average over £750 for the required kit and labour needed to refit this crucial car part.
In ten years’ time, it is predicted that this repair will soar to over £1,100 – however leaving the clutch unfixed could end up costing motorists significantly more.
If clutch problems are not addressed promptly, drivers may end up unable to drive their car, resulting in costly breakdown or recovery services, or in worst case scenarios (where a vehicle with a faulty clutch is classified as a write-off) having to buy a brand-new vehicle.
Under law, every driver is required to take their vehicle for a renewed MOT certificate every year, if they’re driving a vehicle which is three years old or older. Similarly, it is recommended that motorists get their vehicles serviced every 12,000 miles, or every year – whichever comes first.
However, with the cost of these essential maintenance checks getting increasingly expensive too, previous research from Scrap Car Comparison reveals that over one in six (16%) drivers avoid getting their vehicle MOT-ed or serviced due to the cost – leaving drivers unaware of any issues with their vehicles, and unsafe on the roads.
According to the study, it is predicted that by 2034 a standard car MOT could cost £80 per test (up from £55), while a full service could result in a bill of almost £380.
Tyre changes are another common car repair that many drivers will face, with most tyres needing to be replaced every 20,000 to 30,000 miles. In 2024, the average cost of a singular tyre replacement is £283, however the cost could be set to rise to over £415 per tyre in just ten years’ time.
By 2074, motorists of the future could be paying a whopping £1,919 per tyre if inflation continues at the same rate – costing an eye-watering £7,600 if you needed to replace all four tyres at the same time.
Other significant car repairs which could reach costs of over £300 per job in just ten years’ time include front and rear brake pad replacements (£309 – £316), and a front coil spring replacement (£330).
David Kottaun, Operations Manager at Scrap Car Comparison said, “2023 was an expensive year for car repairs, with the cost of carrying out repairs increasing more and more for garages, leading them to hike up repair bills for motorists.
“Our research has shown that if car repairs continue to increase at the same rate they have been, drivers of the future could be facing bills of thousands of pounds simply to keep their vehicles on the road.
“However, while the price hikes in our research predict an exponential increase when calculated using current rates of inflation, we hope this doesn’t actually turn out to be the case.
“With our previous research finding that motorists are refraining from making essential repairs due to the cost, it’s vital that we find a way to keep car repairs as affordable as possible for all drivers, so that every motorist can afford to stay safe on the roads, in addition to being there in the first place.
“We hope it never reaches the point where people are priced out of being able to travel freely to work, or to see their family and friends.”
