Kwik Fit pilots Kwik Fit Club tyre subscription scheme

With the launch of Kwik Fit Club membership, the UK’s largest tyre retail has become the latest to offer a tyres-as-a-service style wheel and tyre subscription option. Initially, the Kwik Fit Club service is being piloted in the North West and Yorkshire regions, with a national roll out to follow this summer.

Kwik Fit Club membership sees drivers pay a monthly subscription which covers all their tyre wear, including repairs and premium tyre replacement, wheel alignment and six-monthly health checks. They also have the option to include their MOT and servicing costs. Drivers can join the programme and keep track of their subscription through an app, and although they can nominate a ‘home garage’, their membership can be used at any of Kwik Fit’s 600-plus centres across the country.

The monthly subscription cost is tailored to a driver’s personal circumstances, based on the car they drive, the mileage they cover and the condition of their tyres when they start their membership. Reflecting the fact that many households have more than one car, members can opt for a multi-car membership to cover all their vehicles. A driver can get an estimated cost based on the information they provide on the app and following a visit to a Kwik Fit centre, a confirmed quote will be offered and their membership can be activated.

According to Kwik Fit, drivers have an average of four subscriptions in sectors such as entertainment or shopping. Recent research for the company (conducted by Opinium from a sample of 2,001 UK car owners between 21 February – 3 March 2021) found that some 17.7 million UK drivers say they would be interested in a pay monthly scheme for their motoring maintenance, a figure which has grown by 15 per cent since 2018. The concept is said to be especially appealing to drivers aged 18-34 (where 67 per cent of this group would be interested), mirroring their greater take up of subscriptions in other sectors.

The company’s research also shows that drivers opting for subscription services would alleviate a significant motoring worry. Facing an unexpected repair bill is the third biggest motoring concern for drivers, only behind being in an accident or breaking down. With the new Kwik Fit Club subscription service, maintenance costs are spread evenly throughout the year, avoiding big single bills.

More importantly for other drivers, Kwik Fit’s research indicates that maintenance subscriptions could also improve safety on the roads. Two in five drivers (40%) say they have put off car repairs or maintenance, rising to 55 per cent of drivers aged 18-34. The most common reason for motorists doing this is that they could not afford it at the time, stated by some 5.8 million drivers. Worryingly, the average length of time these drivers used their car before getting the work done was 58.7 days or nearly two months. Based on current average mileage, in that time their car could have travelled 1,190 miles while needing repairs or maintenance.

While 29 per cent of younger drivers (18-34) have been able to dip into savings to pay for repairs or maintenance, one in five (19%) have had to borrow money from family or friends, while 7 per cent have taken out a loan or got credit. 19 per cent have sacrificed spending on luxuries, but almost as many, 16 per cent, have had to sacrifice spending on other essentials to pay for their car maintenance costs.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit commented: “The growth in demand for subscription services has been dramatic over recent years, particularly with younger consumers. We found that drivers aged 18-34 have an average of six subscriptions across all sectors and two thirds of them would be interested in paying for car maintenance this way.

“It’s younger drivers who are most worried about their lack of car knowledge or the fact that they could be facing a big bill when going to a garage. It’s also these younger drivers who are most likely to put off repairs and maintenance. Benefits of Kwik Fit Club include members getting regular free health checks on their car and having regular, predictable maintenance costs instead of one-off spikes. If you think about buying four new tyres, traditionally car owners would pay for them all in one go – with Kwik Fit Club the cost is spread over the life of tyres – drivers are paying for them as they use them.”

Bridgestone launched the similar Mobox subscriptions concept in the UK in July 2020 and Zenises introduced its Cartyzen taas option in 2016.