Most drivers leave workshops with urgent repairs incomplete as affordability pressures persist, Bumper report reveals

Rising car maintenance costs are leaving workshops with a growing volume of partially completed safety-critical repairs, according to Bumper’s Automotive Aftersales Report 2025/26.

Analysis from AutoBI, Bumper’s business intelligence arm, shows that in 70% of vehicle health checks (VHCs) where ‘red’ safety critical issues were identified, drivers did not authorise all of the urgent items recommended by the technician. The pattern points to a widening conversion rate challenge for franchised retailers as motorists manage shrinking household budgets.

The report reveals the average repair bill has climbed to £597.48, the highest in five years and up 26% since 2021.

Average repair costs:

• 2021: £473.33

• 2022: £512.35

• 2023: £550.13

• 2024: £584.92

• 2025: £597.48

With nearly half of motorists (47%) saying the cost of living is affecting their ability to maintain their car, 47% of affected drivers are choosing not to approve advisory (‘amber’) VHC items. Meanwhile, 38% of affected drivers are delaying recommended repairs, and 21% are skipping scheduled services, creating significant challenges for workshop conversion rates.

Among drivers who declined urgent (‘red’) work this year, 46% said they couldn’t afford it and 33% said the work itself was too expensive.

With more cost-pressured drivers keeping cars longer (91%) and shifting towards independents for lower-cost work (59%), the pressure on dealership aftersales retention continues to intensify.

“Cost is still a critical decision factor for motorists and it’s worrying that so many drivers are having to leave urgent repairs unfinished because of affordability concerns,” said Jack Allman, CCO at Co-Founder at Bumper. 

“These figures underline the need for greater support to help drivers manage repair costs and get back on the road as swiftly and safely as possible. Dealerships must continue to balance competitive pricing with value-led propositions, transparent cost structures and flexible payment options to help drivers say yes to necessary work.”

Bumper’s Automotive Aftersales Report 2025/26 is available to download in full.