A recent survey has provided new insights into the most common reasons Australian motorists require roadside assistance, with flat batteries emerging as the leading cause.
According to data from Budget Direct Roadside Assistance, 48% of respondents reported being immobilised due to a flat battery.
Mechanical failures and flat tyres followed, each accounting for 33% of breakdowns, while running out of fuel and being locked out of vehicles represented 9% and 8% of incidents, respectively.
The research also indicated a 6% reduction in mechanical breakdowns over the past two years.
A spokesperson from Budget Direct suggested that this trend may reflect a growing focus on basic vehicle upkeep among drivers.
“Simple things – like checking oil, coolant levels, and tyre pressure between services – doesn’t take long but could save a lot of hassle and money down the track,” the spokesperson said.
Jez Spinks, representing the independent automotive review platform Chasing Cars, outlined several preventative measures for motorists. These included:
Spinks noted that 38% of Australians are comfortable changing a tyre, but 47% are not.
Confidence in this skill varies by age and region, with one in four people aged 58 to 62 reporting high comfort, compared to just 7% of those aged 33 to 42. Western Australia had the highest proportion of confident tyre-changers at 50%.
“At the end of the day, these figures show you just never know when your car will breakdown. We’d urge Australians to invest in roadside assistance,” Spinks said.
Economic factors are prompting Australian vehicle owners to reconsider how they manage both car maintenance and insurance.
The 2024 Mobility Index from mycar Tyre & Auto, based on a survey of 2,004 vehicle owners, found that 60% have altered their maintenance habits due to cost-of-living pressures. The data showed that 77% now undertake some maintenance tasks themselves.
The survey also revealed that 24% of respondents are delaying regular servicing, and 21% are seeking lower-cost repairs.
Insurance coverage is also being affected, with 49% of participants making changes to their policies. Of these, 11% have cancelled their insurance entirely, while 27% have opted for less expensive coverage. Fourteen percent reported difficulty keeping up with insurance payments.
A notable trend is the increase in do-it-yourself repairs, with 17% of respondents handling more complex tasks such as brake pad replacements.
A separate study by Youi Insurance highlighted generational differences in approaches to vehicle care and insurance.
The survey, which included over 2,000 participants, found that older Australians tend to be more conservative in their spending and maintain higher levels of insurance coverage.
Marni Jackson, head of product at Youi, noted that only 38% of Australians service their vehicles every six months. Younger drivers, especially those in Generation Z, were more likely to keep up with regular maintenance and to modify their vehicles, compared to older drivers.
Insurance coverage remained high overall, with nearly 80% of Australians holding comprehensive policies. Older generations led both in coverage rates and satisfaction with their insurers.
Jackson observed that younger drivers are more likely to review or switch their insurance, while older drivers tend to remain with their existing providers.
