Survey: Price-savvy motorists shop around for best fuel prices
Research commissioned by the NCA also shows many owners taking deliberate measures to improve fuel efficiency.
For example, half of all motorists are combining trips in their vehicles in order to cut down on motoring costs. Women drivers and motorists aged 45-54 are more likely to plan their journey in such a manner.
The study, conducted by Amárach Research, revealed 72% of motorists check on the price of fuel when choosing a petrol station, with owners of diesel models or engines greater than 1.5 litre most conscious of price.
However, just 18% said they buy fuel in units of litres or gallons rather than in euro amounts.
Two-thirds of drivers also check their tyre pressure at least once every six months.
Nevertheless, despite efforts at lowering fuel costs, half of all motorists still confessed to driving above the legal speed limit and one-third to driving with their car windows down — both measures known to increase fuel consumption.
The NCA’s director of research, Maria Hurley, said consumers had become more price-conscious about motoring costs since last December’s budget had added four cent to a litre of petrol and two cent to diesel.
Ms Hurley said motorists had also become more aware about the cost of running a vehicle because the price of oil was at a two-year high with expectations that it will soon reach €1.50 per litre.
The NCA has advised car-owners that there are a number of simple measures which can be taken to improve fuel efficiency, such as emptying boot space of unnecessary items and driving in the highest appropriate gear relevant to one’s speed.
The survey also revealed while 82% of motorists get their car serviced once per year, only 36% said they actually shopped around for vehicle servicing.
The average cost for a car service nationally is €184 according to the study. However, the figure rises to €207 in Dublin and to €236 for cars with 2 litre or bigger engines.
“Consumers may not be aware that the EU Commission introduced legislation on June 1 last year to promote competition in the vehicle repair market,” said Ms Hurley.
“The legislation prevents car makers from stipulating in warranties that car servicing must be carried out in their own dealer networks.”
The research also showed almost 70% said their journey would be more difficult by taking an alternative means of transport.
