We’d risk blow out to go out, say students

Kwik-Fit has raised concerns after its research highlighted a worrying road safety trend amongst Britain’s 300,000 car owning students – some 25% of the total student population.

According to Kwik-Fit, around one-in-five (20%) car owning students have driven an unroadworthy car in a bid to save money. The figure jumps to more than one third (37%) amongst male car owning students.

But it’s not just necessities such as books, rent and food that are taking priority over car maintenance. Indeed, one third (32%) of car owning students confessed that they would choose to blow their last £50 on a big night out rather than replace an illegal tyre – even if it meant driving home on it the next day.

Kwik-Fit is reminding concerned parents that they can buy their children vouchers for car maintenance or even pre-book and pay for a service and MoT, and purchase tyres through the company’s website at kwik-fit.com.  Furthermore, any students who are unsure about the safety of their car should visit their local Kwik-Fit centre where they will receive a free check.

David White, Customer Services Director, Kwik-Fit, comments: “It is only natural that students want to spend what little remainder they have of their student loans on leisure pursuits, but this mustn’t be at the cost of road safety.

“Parents can always take the burden away and cover motoring costs by purchasing vouchers, or book essentials such as services and MoTs, and order tyres online, to help keep their sons and daughters safe on the roads.”

Kwik-Fit’s alarming research shows that 14% of car owning students have knowingly driven on worn out tyres; 7% without a valid MoT certificate; 5% without any road tax and 3% without insurance. 

Over three quarters (76%) of car owning students say that the financial responsibility for maintaining their motor lies with themselves, while 24% rely on their parents.