Queensland motorists avoid car maintenance

The results of a survey conducted by Queensland's peak motoring body showed that while 52 per cent of Queensland motorists serviced their cars at six or 12 months intervals, some have never have had their cars serviced.??The RACQ figures showed that 31.2% of Queensland motorists serviced their cars every 12 to 18 months and 10.5 per cent serviced their cars every 18 months to two years.

Just over two per cent waited longer than two years to service their cars, while 1.5 per cent of Queensland motorists stated they never serviced their cars.??RACQ Executive Manager Technical and Safety Policy, Steve Spalding, who features in a new RACQ TV video called 'Why should I service my car?', said regular preventative car maintenance was better than a cure.

"Many Queenslanders avoid servicing their cars regularly because they're either financially strapped or time poor, but the reality is that vehicles need to be maintained according to the vehicle manual to ensure they operate in optimal condition," Mr Spalding said.

"Failure to regularly service your car at scheduled intervals can result in costly repair bills and you end up spending a lot more than you think you're saving by avoiding it," he said.

"For example, a fan belt that would normally cost about $30 could potentially put a $5000 engine at risk if it's not replaced when it should be."??Mr Spalding said not only can regular servicing show up problems before they become a serious mechanical issue, it can also increase resale value and is important for keeping the vehicle's warranty valid.

"Not only are poorly maintained cars a financial burden, but they are also a real danger to the driver and other motorists, particularly when basic things such as lights don't work and the tyres are bald," Mr Spalding said.??The RACQ also recommended carrying out other preventative measures between scheduled services, including weekly checks of items like tyres and engine fluids, many of which are covered in the vehicle's handbook.

Also worth pointing out is that while many new car manufacturers have increased recommended service intervals on new models to 15,000km or even up to 20,000km, some vehicles require more frequent servicing particularly if used mainly for short trips and in stop/start traffic or when used regularly for towing.