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.
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.
That's 4.8 million drivers who have been unable to afford car maintenance.
Women (30%) are more likely than men (18%) to have let their vehicle fall into disrepair due to financial reasons.
Taylor Blackburn, insurance expert at Finder, said millions of Aussies are struggling to afford to service their vehicles.
"Given the soaring cost of living, many households are finding it harder to prioritise car maintenance.
"We're seeing a growing number of vehicles fall into disrepair simply because drivers can't afford to keep them in good condition.
"The danger is real – worn-out cars can quickly become unsafe, putting not just drivers, but everyone on the road at serious risk."
Blackburn said for many Australians a car is one of their biggest expenses after housing costs.
"Keeping a car on the road is becoming increasingly expensive due to rising costs in maintenance, fuel, and insurance.
"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.
"An easy way to potentially cover car expenses is to compare your car insurance and see if you can get a better deal."
The average car owner pays about $1,362 a year for comprehensive car insurance, Finder analysis shows.
Blackburn said it's a good idea to build up a vehicle emergency fund.
"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.
"It's often more cost-effective in the long run to tackle small issues before they become major problems.
"In some cases, you could be denied a car insurance claim if a car was found to be in disrepair."
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 |  |
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.
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