Experts have shared a car maintenance hack which could save motorists £800 on average.

As rising living costs pile the pressure on household budgets, UK garage owners have urged car owners to take simple steps to avoid being hit with steep repair bills.

Motoring resource website The Motor Ombudsman carried out a survey of garages across the country and found a number of key habits which could help drivers make significant savings.

Chief among the reasons for costly repairs was drivers delaying maintenance on their vehicles, with an average additional bill of £807, while over half of garages reported seeing motorists frequently or very frequently delaying essential maintenance, worsening problems.

Among the survey’s other findings was a failure among many motorists to keep to recommended service intervals, with 83% of garages finding customers did not bring their vehicles in to be checked as often as recommended.

A huge majority (77%) of drivers ignored dashboard warning lights, with this behaviour leading to increased repair costs, decreased reliability, long term component damage and safety risks.

Bill Fennell, chief ombudsman and managing director of The Motor Ombudsman, said: “Drivers may look to cut corners to save money, but when it comes to car maintenance, it’s often a false economy. Delaying a simple service or ignoring early warning signs might feel like a short-term saving, but it often leads to far higher repair costs.

“Some of the most expensive issues we hear about could have been avoided with basic checks or timely intervention. That’s why we’re encouraging motorists to stay proactive with their car care, it’s better for safety, reliability, and your wallet.”

Top of Fennell’s advice for drivers was to keep up with regular servicing of their vehicles, which can help in avoiding high-cost repairs.

One customer surveyed during the research delayed a standard £300 oil service and was eventually left with a failed engine, repairs on which amounted to £9,000.

If possible, Fennell also recommended budgeting for repairs and avoiding delays to vehicle work, as this can push prices up.

Ignoring warning lights can also lead to a hefty bill down the round, and there is a reason these indicators are in place.

Contrary to what some drivers may think, these warnings will likely not just “go away” and could turn into bigger jobs which require a weightier financial outlay.

A simple hack recommended by Fennell is to check tyre pressure regularly, as underinflated tyres wear faster, reduce fuel efficiency and can be dangerous.

Poorly kept tyres can lead to MOT fails and even fines if drivers are not careful, with almost 40% of garages saying that between 21% and 40% of customers delay tyre replacements.

Monitoring oil and fluid levels can also prevent higher costs, as engine damage, turbocharger failures and wet belt degradation can all be hastened if these levels are not kept right.