ALMOST THREE-QUARTERS of drivers are now actively seeking out cheaper petrol or diesel but fewer than a third shop around when getting their cars serviced, according to the latest survey from the National Consumer Agency.
However, almost half of those polled admitted to driving above the speed limit which, the agency said, was not only illegal but also contributed to higher fuel consumption, particularly on motorway journeys.
People under 44, men in particular, were most likely to speed, the agency found.
“Last December’s budget added four cent to a litre of petrol and two cent to diesel and with the price of oil at a two-year high, speculation is mounting that the cost of fuel will soon reach €1.50 a litre,” Maria Hurley, the director of research at the agency said.
Of the 86 per cent of people who said they had their car serviced annually, only 36 per cent shopped around last year.
The agency said the average cost of a service then in the Republic was €184. “The European Commission introduced legislation last year to promote competition in the vehicle repair market,” Ms Hurley said. “The legislation prevents car makers from stipulating in warranties that car servicing must be carried out in their own dealer networks. This means that consumers now have the opportunity to cast the net wider in search of cheaper quotes.”
The survey, by Amárach Research, also found that 66 per cent of drivers claimed to check their tyre pressure at least every six months, with 42 per cent saying they checked at least once a month.
One in two said they walked instead of taking the car at least once a week, one in five took taxis or buses once a week and left the car at home, while one in 10 used the Dart, Luas, train or cycled.
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