Cost of fuel is motorists’ biggest worry says BCA research

Chancellor George Osborne confirmed at the Budget that he would maintain the freeze on fuel duty – yet drivers still see the cost of fuel as their biggest motoring worry according to new data from leading vehicle remarketing company, British Car Auctions (BCA). Research amongst motorists at the start of 2014 revealed that over 70 per cent of motorists worry most about the price of fuel – the same as 2013.

“With nearly three quarters of respondents to our survey using their car every day, clearly every aspect of the cost of motoring is a worry”, explained Tim Naylor, Editor of the BCA Used Car Market Report. The cost of fuel remains top of the list of concerns – despite the fact that the AA has reported a steady drop in prices over the last year. The reality is that fuel prices today are still much higher than they were just a few years ago – and for many motorists it’s hard to forget when unleaded was under £1 a litre. According to our research over one in five are convinced the fuel retailers are failing to pass on potential savings and a quarter of drivers are frustrated by the lack of action by the Government to tackle the cost of motoring.”

The Top Five Concerns about Motoring Costs in 2014

1. The price of fuel
2. The cost of Road Tax
3. Insurance costs
4. Vehicle maintenance & servicing
5. Parking

More than half of the motorists surveyed by BCA said that they would consider using their car less for non-essential travel if costs continue to rise. Over a quarter would walk more and more than one in five would cycle more. Over a quarter also said they would use public transport more.

“More than one in ten drivers feel pressured by rising motoring costs because they need their car for work”, concluded Tim Naylor. “More than half of our survey said they have considered changing their current car for a more fuel efficient model in the last 12 months.”