Road roulette: Cash-strapped Aussies driving run down cars
From bald tyres to neglected brake pads, thousands of cars on Aussie roads wouldn't pass a basic roadworthy check, according to new research by Finder.
Â
A Finder survey of 1,015 respondents revealed 1 in 4 (24%) Australian motorists have avoided taking their car in for a scheduled service due to financial constraints.
Â
That's 4.8 million drivers who have been unable to afford car maintenance.
Â
Women (30%) are more likely than men (18%) to have let their vehicle fall into disrepair due to financial reasons.
Â
Taylor Blackburn, insurance expert at Finder, said millions of Aussies are struggling to afford to service their vehicles.
Â
"Given the soaring cost of living, many households are finding it harder to prioritise car maintenance.
Â
"We're seeing a growing number of vehicles fall into disrepair simply because drivers can't afford to keep them in good condition.
Â
"The danger is real – worn-out cars can quickly become unsafe, putting not just drivers, but everyone on the road at serious risk."
Â
Blackburn said for many Australians a car is one of their biggest expenses after housing costs.
Â
"Keeping a car on the road is becoming increasingly expensive due to rising costs in maintenance, fuel, and insurance.
Â
"Ignoring minor car troubles, like a cracked hose or a dirty filter, might seem like a way to save money now, but these cheap fixes can quickly escalate into expensive repairs if left unaddressed.
Â
"An easy way to potentially cover car expenses is to compare your car insurance and see if you can get a better deal."
Â
The average car owner pays about $1,362 a year for comprehensive car insurance, Finder analysis shows.
Â
Blackburn said it's a good idea to build up a vehicle emergency fund.
Â
"Skipping regular services can hurt now and in the future – doing so makes your car more likely to break down, and harder to sell in the future.
Â
"It's often more cost-effective in the long run to tackle small issues before they become major problems.
Â
"In some cases, you could be denied a car insurance claim if a car was found to be in disrepair."
Â
Have you avoided taking your car in for a scheduled service to save money?
| Yes | 24% |
| No | 65% |
| I don't drive/I don't have a car | 11% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,015 respondents, May 2025 |  |
Â
Sources
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,015 respondents from May 2025.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
Ask a question