Millions of UK drivers ignoring car dashboard warning lights, study finds

Millions of UK drivers ignoring car dashboard warning lights, study finds A Halfords poll found a quarter of drivers are using cars displaying urgent dashboard warning lights. Millions of motorists are driving potentially lethal vehicles because they are terrified of costly garage bills – landing themselves with average repair fees of £190 when small problems turn into major breakdowns. A shocking one in four British motorists are currently driving around with an urgent warning light flashing on their dashboard, a new study reveals. A poll of 2,000 drivers found 28% admitted they have no idea what the warning symbols displayed on their screens actually mean. Even worse, 14% of drivers who do understand the warning signs actively choose to ignore them because going to a mechanic feels too expensive and too much hassle. Instead of getting professional help, 20% rely on handy friends or relatives to try and fix faults on the cheap. But turning a blind eye backfires badly, with drivers paying out an average of £190 once the ignored issue escalates into a bigger problem. More than half of drivers (55%) have suffered a breakdown after putting off basic maintenance, leaving them stranded at the roadside for an average of 76 minutes. The study, commissioned by Halfords, found anxiety surrounding repair shops is so high that 11% of motorists admitted they would literally rather visit the dentist than a garage. TV presenter and comedian Judi Love has teamed up with Halfords to encourage motorists to get their vehicles checked and end fear surrounding garage visits. Judi admitted: "My car is so far down the list of priorities that I’m literally running around at the last minute to fix it! I’m as guilty as everyone else that I hop in and just hope nothing flashes this month. "People don’t need to be car experts or know all the terminology to ask for help – I certainly don’t. The important thing is feeling comfortable speaking up when something doesn’t look or feel right." She added: "One thing I do know is that when warning lights come on, they shouldn't be ignored, as a small issue today can quickly become a much bigger and more expensive problem tomorrow." The research also highlighted widespread confusion over basic motoring lingo and abbreviations, with 20% frequently baffled by common terms. A staggering 13% of drivers were unsure what 'MPH' (miles per hour) stands for, while 17% did not know 'EV' means electric vehicle. Only 16% of those polled via OnePoll.com recognized DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), while ECU (electronic control unit) left 77% completely baffled. To avoid embarrassment in front of mechanics, 13% confessed they have pretended to understand motoring terms when they had no idea what they meant. Karen Bellairs, chief customer officer & managing director of garages for Halfords said: “What this research really shows is that people don’t need more motoring jargon, they need straightforward, trusted help when something doesn’t look or feel right. “People shouldn’t have to be an expert in cars or bikes to feel confident asking for help - it’s our job to make looking after their wheels as simple and reassuring as possible. “Whether it’s a warning light, a flat battery or a strange rattling noise, our experts are here to explain what’s needed in plain English and find the right solution, taking the worry away and helping people keep their lives rolling.”