The latest upgrade to the popular online tool comes in response to the findings of The Motor Ombudsman’s recently commissioned YouGov survey of 1,903 UK driving licence holders. The study found that, if they were to own an electric vehicle, 84 percent of people would not know of a local independent garage or car dealership where they could take it for its annual service. Those living in Northern Ireland, and individuals over the age of 45, would be the least familiar as to where to go, with 94 percent and 85 percent of people stating respectively that this would be the case. Conversely, male drivers (one in five), and those aged between 18 to 24 years (17 percent), were the most conversant as to which local businesses could accommodate this type of car.
In addition, when it came to understanding how an annual service for a battery-powered vehicle differs to the yearly review for a car powered by an engine, only around one in ten survey participants (12 percent) indicated that they would be able to distinguish between the two. Out of all regions in the UK, licence holders residing in London (16 percent) and Wales (15 percent), were the most able to recognise that servicing for zero emission cars had fundamental differences to that for a car running on petrol or diesel fuel.
Of the 1,903 adults with a driving licence who took part in the study, two thirds were able to correctly identify that brakes and tyres (67 percent and 66 percent of individuals respectively) would be checked during an annual service for an EV. Furthermore, over 60 percent of those polled rightly indicated that the condition of the suspension (61 percent) and windscreen wipers (63 percent) would also be looked at. In contrast, 40 percent incorrectly said that the air filter would need to be examined during the routine maintenance of a battery-powered car. Similarly, just under a third of those surveyed stated that they thought there would be an oil change (30 percent), whilst the car’s timing belt (29 percent), emissions (26 percent) and spark plugs (26 perent) would equally be inspected when on the ramp, checks that actually wouldn’t happen during an EV service.
“Sales of electric vehicles are fast gathering pace, and they all need to be serviced and maintained in accordance with recommended manufacturer guidelines” said Bill Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director at The Motor Ombudsman. “Our research showed that there was an inherent need to make it quicker and easier for repairers to make motorists aware that they can service electric vehicles, and for owners to be able to easily find a business where they can take their car in. The new facility on our Garage Finder responds to both of these requirements, and therefore we expect it to be an extremely popular addition.”
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