There has never been a worse time to own a car, as motorists are “assaulted from all sides” by spiralling costs, analysis shows.
The yearly cost of running a car has soared by £700 to £2,100 in the last three years – a 50% rise – as the Net Zero war on motorists and rising inflation takes its toll.
Households are spending over £500 more a year on insurance than in 2021 and have been hit by substantial hikes in the price of repairs, parking and fuel.
At the same time, low-emission zones have expanded across the country, saddling motorists with additional charges to drive in urban areas.
Edmund King, President of motoring body the AA, said the burden on drivers has never been so high.
He said: “There have been times in the past when certain elements have been more expensive, like fuel. But this is the first time when the cost of motoring as a whole has been so high. It’s an incredibly expensive time to be a driver. They are being assaulted from all sides.”
King added that motorists are getting a “rubbish return on investment” after drivers reported one million potholes on the nation’s roads last year, a post-pandemic high.
“Drivers are paying more but in return they get terrible infrastructure, with roads in a record poor state. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.
“For many millions of people, their car is not a luxury – it’s essential. Many people can’t cut back on driving, and so they cut back on other household expenditure. They buy less food, go out less. It affects their lifestyle quite considerably.”...<<<Read More>>>...
