Motorists spend the equivalent of a full day each year thinking about service schedules, MOTs, and potential issues
New research suggests motorists ‘lose’ up to 565 hours of their lives dealing with car-related admin and maintenance planning. A survey of 2,000 drivers of various makes and models revealed that they spend the equivalent of a full day each year pondering over service schedules, MOTs, and potential issues – time they said that could be better spent elsewhere and on more enjoyable activities.
In the past year, drivers have reported having to change their plans for an average of four events due to unforeseen car problems. Moreover, over six in ten have missed significant occasions because they were unable to get there.
The study was commissioned by BMW, who offer a Proactive Care service aimed at reducing the time spent worrying about vehicle upkeep. This service uses real-time vehicle data to alert drivers to potential issues before they escalate into problems. It comes after UK drivers were warned over ‘avoiding’ road instead of having to follow new rule.
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To promote awareness of this technology, which offers drivers greater peace of mind, BMW crafted a clock into the sand of Black Rock Sand’s beach using car tyres, symbolising the valuable hours that could be saved.
BMW Group UK spokesperson, Werner Pagenstert, commented: “Time is the ultimate luxury and shouldn’t be lost to car admin or unplanned maintenance.
“Smart technology can help drivers reclaim those 565 lost hours and spend more time doing the things that matter most to them.”
The burden of this admin significantly impacts enjoyment, with two thirds (68 per cent) of motorists stating they would enjoy driving more if they had greater peace of mind.
The study also discovered that nearly half of drivers (46 per cent) claim that motoring admin occupies valuable mental space.
A majority still depend on traditional methods to stay organised, with over half utilising diaries to manage service schedules, while others wait for a dashboard alert before taking action.
When questioned about how they’d prefer to utilise time saved from car-related admin, a third expressed they’d read more, 32 per cent would prioritise exercise, and a quarter would book themselves a much-needed holiday.
One in five confess that trips and holidays are the only occasions they can disconnect from everyday stress and life admin.
BMW Proactive Care has partnered with the Seren Collection hotels in Wales to offer one driver a chance to win, a two-night luxury stay for two, complete with a tasting menu experience and use of an all-electric car for the duration of the trip.
Spokesman Werner Pagenstert added: “With so many people valuing this quality time away, we wanted to offer drivers the chance to do exactly that.
“And we’re hoping to help people make the most of those precious hours that can be reclaimed from irritating admin and car maintenance.”