Brakes a low motorist priority, observes Kwik-Fit

Out of sight, out of mind. Research carried out on behalf of Kwik-Fit shows 73 per cent of motorists don’t regularly check their brakes for wear. This high level of neglect is a stark contrast to the attention that owners pay to their car’s appearance – 65 per cent of motorists carry out car care activities such as washing or vacuuming at least once a month.

Almost half of the 2,028 motorists surveyed – 48 per cent, to be precise – said they don’t check their brakes because they don’t know how to. Fair enough, but for one quarter of the nation’s drivers there is no excuse – they say they know how but just don’t bother. Should the survey represent nationwide car care trends, only nine million of Britain’s 33 million drivers regularly inspect their brakes.  Therefore, these findings indicate that there are up to 22.6 million cars on Britain’s roads which are not having regular brake checks.

Women, Kwik-Fit notes, appear to be more blasé about their car’s ability to stop than men, with 21 per cent of female drivers checking their brakes regularly, compared to 34 per cent of men. For some reason, motorists in East Anglia are the least likely to perform regular brake checks, and they are also least likely to wash or vacuum their car each month.  Welsh motorists and those in the South East needn’t snigger over this admission; they appear next on the list of shame.  Drivers in the East and West Midlands and the South West are said to be relatively diligent when it comes to checking their brakes, compared to the rest of the motoring population. And cars in the South West are most likely to look their best, with 71 per cent of owners giving them some attention at least once a month.

“Along with its tyres, a car’s brakes are the most important system in keeping a car safe on the road.  However, it seems that for many cars, the only time they will be checked is during the annual MOT and service,” commented Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit. “With so few motorists checking their brakes, it suggests that many are waiting until the more obvious signs of deterioration appear – such as squealing, grinding, sponginess or worse, failure.  Unfortunately this could be an all too costly delay.”

Griggs adds that checking the condition of a car’s brakes is a “relatively simple and quick job”, and that to any motorist who doesn’t know how to, or would like an expert opinion, can visit their nearest Kwik Fit outlet for a free check.