The rise in vehicle breakdowns on England's motorways and major A roads has been linked to the increasing age of cars. National Highways reports a 20% jump in breakdowns over the last four years.
Green Flag, a roadside assistance provider, notes that while poor road conditions contribute to breakdowns, the primary reason is that drivers are keeping their cars longer than before. Government data shows that the average age of cars in Britain has increased by 42% over the past 20 years, thanks to better build quality that extends vehicle lifespan.
In 2003, the average car age was 6.6 years, but by 2023, it had risen to 9.4 years. Cars are more durable now, and drivers face fewer reliability issues beyond the manufacturer's warranty. However, the rising costs of insurance, fuel, and new cars, along with pandemic-related production delays, have made people hold onto their vehicles longer.
Green Flag emphasises the importance of regular maintenance to prevent breakdowns. National Highways' data shows breakdowns increased from 229,600 in 2019 to 274,600 in 2023, with a notable spike in the summer months. Green Flag's stats also indicate that older cars are more likely to break down, with one in five nine-year-old cars malfunctioning annually compared to one in seven six-year-old cars.
Katie Lomas, Green Flag's managing director, highlights that "Generally cars are lasting longer, which is a good thing.
"However, cars do tend to have more breakdowns as they age and this is reflected both in our own call-out rates and the rising number of breakdowns recorded by National Highways.
"With breakdowns on the rise, drivers should keep up regular maintenance to help reduce the risk of issues, however old their vehicle may be.
Car maintenance tasks that can be done at home include checking oil, coolant and tyre treads and pressures"
