Motorists ‘lose’ up to 565 hours of their lives to car-related admin and maintenance planning.
A poll of 2,000 drivers, of all makes and models, revealed on average, they spend a full day (24 hours) each year thinking about service schedules, MOTs, and potential issues – time that could be better spent elsewhere.
More than six in 10 (63 per cent) have missed important occasions because they couldn’t get there.
In fact, over the past year, drivers reported having to change plans for an average of four events due to undetected car issues.
The research was commissioned by BMW, whose Proactive Care service is designed to reduce time spent thinking about vehicle upkeep, using real-time vehicle data to alert drivers to potential issues before they become problems.
To bring this to life and raise awareness of the technology affording drivers greater peace of mind, BMW created a striking clock visual, sculpted in sand using car tyres, to symbolise the precious hours that could be reclaimed.
Werner Pagenstert, spokesperson for BMW Group UK said: “Time is the ultimate luxury and shouldn’t be lost to car admin or unplanned maintenance.
"Smart technology can help drivers reclaim those 565 lost hours and spend more time doing the things that matter most to them.”
The study also found nearly half of drivers (46 per cent) say motoring admin takes up valuable headspace.
Many still rely on traditional methods to stay organised, with more than half (52 per cent) using diaries to manage service schedules, while 37 per cent wait for a dashboard alert before taking action, and 37 per cent actively delay visits to the garage.
The impact this admin has on enjoyment is significant, with two thirds (68 per cent) of motorists saying they’d enjoy driving more with greater peace of mind.
This comes as the average Brit spends only a tenth of their day doing what they actually want to do, with the rest absorbed by obligations and life admin.
When asked how they’d prefer to use time reclaimed from car-related admin, a third (33 per cent) said they’d read more, 32 per cent would prioritise exercise, and a quarter (25 per cent) would book themselves a much-needed holiday.
For many, getting away from it all is key – 37 per cent crave more trips and holidays to escape daily pressures and one in five (20 per cent) admit that these occasions are the only time they can switch off from everyday stress and life admin.
As a quarter (24 per cent) said true relaxation only comes once they’re physically away from their everyday stresses.
On behalf of BMW Proactive Care, which has partnered with the Seren Collection hotels in Wales to offer one driver a chance to win [https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/proactive-care-competition] a two-night luxury stay for two, complete with a tasting menu experience and use of an all-electric car for the duration of the trip, Werner Pagenstert added: “With so many people valuing this quality time away, we wanted to offer drivers the chance to do exactly that.
“And we’re hoping to help people make the most of those precious hours that can be reclaimed from irritating admin and car maintenance.”
