Most drivers don't check oil

Swinton Car Insurance has just carried out a survey of drivers’ car maintenance habits and revealed that a shocking 70% of drivers in the UK never check their oil.

The online survey was completed by more than 1,300 drivers, and the results paint a worrying picture of car maintenance habits across the country. It is understandable that a small proportion of people will never get around to checking the oil, but 70% is quite a shocking figure.

Oil is essential to the health of the engine, lubricating it and keeping it cool, as well as keeping it free from rust. As vehicles get older, they tend to use up more oil, so it is especially important to keep the oil levels topped up if you are driving an older car.

The problems that can be caused by a lack of oil are quite serious. In the very worst cases, careless drivers who have not bothered to check their oil level run the risk of ending up forking out for a completely new engine. And to make matters worse, engine damage is not usually covered by car insurance policies.

According to the research, women are the worst offenders with 83% confirming that they never check their oil levels. Men fared better, with 52% claiming to check the oil levels.

The insurer development manager for the car insurance provider, Steve Chelton, said that they advise people to check their oil “at least every two weeks” and that they should also “carry a spare canister in the car at all times.”

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