British drivers on brink of breakdown

30^th June 2005

That means drivers are likely to breakdown a minimum of once every three years, with flat tyres topping the league table of breakdown causes for women motorists (28 per cent). Men, on the other hand, are more likely to be left stranded by a flat battery (32 per cent).

Both genders are laid back about running out of petrol: four in 10 (39 per cent) don't panic if their fuel gauge is in the red, confident their car will travel that extra mile.

However male drivers should beware: men are 50 per cent more likely to breakdown by running out of petrol than women (12 per cent versus eight per cent).

Based on a survey of more than 2,000 UK drivers, Direct Line Breakdown has devised a formula to calculate how often motorists are likely to breakdown over their driving lifetime. Motorists can do so by factoring into the equation below the number of miles they travel per year and the age they started driving.

(0.0352* (miles driven per year / 1000)) (77 – age you started driving) = number of breakdowns per driving lifetime

Direct Line Breakdown spokeswoman Emma Holyer, said:

"Unfortunately as this research shows breaking down is inevitable at some point whatever car you drive. It's always best to get the professionals to help when you do have problems to ensure you get back on the road as quickly as possible.

"In fact, in the research a quarter (25 per cent) of women said they would be anxious or afraid if another motorist stopped to help them when broken down by the roadside and it's certainly safest to be wary. With breakdown cover a trained mechanic is only a phone call away, providing much-needed peace of mind."

Drivers in North Scotland are the most likely to breakdown around the country, as they cover the most miles a year – a long-distance 12,412 miles. In contrast, those in the South West should prove the least in need of rescuing with an annual distance of just 7,424 miles travelled.

On average, UK motorists travel 9,628 miles a year, with close to a quarter (23 per cent) travelling up to 15,000 miles.

And typically, men drive more than women: 10,902 miles compared to 8,226 for women motorists.

When it comes to car breakdown, drivers are philosophical with one in six (16 per cent) expecting to call out a rescue service at some time simply because they use their car regularly.

However, more than one in 10 (13 per cent) drivers simply blame 'bad luck' for their breakdowns.

According to Direct Line Breakdown's driver survey, the majority of breakdowns (27 per cent) occur on the work commute, followed by drives home (17 per cent) and when visiting family (14 per cent).

-ends-

Notes to Editors:

Average number of times motorists will breakdown in their driving life by region

*This figure has been calculated by using Direct Line's breakdown formula. 0.0352 (the average number of breakdowns per 1,000 miles) multiplied by the average number of miles driven per year divided by 1000 and multiplied by 77 (life expectancy age according to the office of national statistics) minus 17 (the average age motorists begin driving).

For further information: