£772 repair bill enough to push drivers to replace cars, finds CarGurus survey

A car repair bill of £772 is the ‘breaking point’ for drivers, causing many to consider replacing their vehicle instead of paying for repairs, according to a new report by online marketplace CarGurus.

The survey, which polled 1,000 UK drivers without warranties on their cars, revealed that a combination of repair costs, delays and reliability issues are driving motorists to part ways with their older vehicles.

The report highlights that drivers are willing to spend up to £772 on unplanned repairs over the next year, with fewer than three major faults before reaching their "breaking point."

Additionally, a wait of more than 10 days for repairs is enough for many to start searching for a replacement.

When they do make that decision, they are willing to spend an average of £14,320 on a new car -1,752% more than the cost of the repair bill that pushed them over the edge.

The study also revealed that 50% of motorists have made unexpected trips to the garage in the past 12 months, spending an average of £269 per year on unplanned repairs.

Coupled with £427 annually on routine maintenance, many drivers are struggling with rising costs, leading 40% to delay necessary repairs.

“Drivers are holding onto their cars for longer, and yet tolerance for unexpected issues remains very low,” said Chris Knapman, editorial director at CarGurus UK.

"For those who have reached breaking point, upgrading to a car with a long manufacturer-backed warranty makes sense and can easily be done within the average £14,320 budget that owners are willing to spend."

The survey also indicated that 72% of drivers are stressed by the prospect of unplanned repairs, with 90% relying on garages to handle the work. Reliability (57%) and cost (45%) were the top reasons cited for wanting to replace a car, followed by safety concerns (20%) and affordability of a better model (20%).

CarGurus identified the best used car buys under £14,320, offering peace of mind with lengthy manufacturer-backed warranties. Recommendations include the Suzuki Ignis (pictured) for city driving, the Hyundai i20 for an affordable runaround and the Toyota RAV4 for families. For those seeking electric options, the MG5 EV was highlighted for its range and value.