Motorists risk paying thousands in car repair costs this winter, a study has found.
Motorpoint asked over 2,000 UK car owners about their car cleaning habits and found that only 27% of drivers clean the exterior of their car often enough to prevent potential damage.
Winter weather means that road salt, debris and mud can cause damage to vehicles if not cleaned off regularly, leaving many motorists at risk of repair costs stretching into the thousands.
The data also showed that almost three quarters of motorists (73%) don’t clean their car as often as they should, despite 67% knowing that it’s an important part of car maintenance.
On average, the study found that motorists tend to clean the exterior of their car once every three and a half weeks. However, 16% admitted to washing the outside of their car just twice a year or less.
In winter, salt and wet leaves can get trapped in your wheel-arches making them more susceptible to rust. If left untreated for long periods, motorists could find themselves needing costly repairs, with it costing upwards of £200 to have just a small patch of rust repaired.1
Explaining why keeping rust at bay is an important part of car maintenance, Ben Custard, car expert at Motorpoint said: “While modern cars have been coated to prevent rust, motorists still need to be making sure that they aren’t leaving their vehicles at risk of corrosion. And, if left untreated, this could become a bigger problem and impact a car’s value.
“Rust affecting your car’s framework can result in a loss of upwards of 20% of your car’s value.2 It can also make it unsafe to drive if it is affecting the structural components, as it can compromise its ability to handle impact, putting you and anyone in your vehicle at risk.”
How often should you be cleaning your car in winter?
Discussing how often motorists should clean the outside of their car, Ben advised: “In an ideal world, motorists should be washing their car once every two weeks all year round to prevent potential damage that could prove costly to repair.
“I’d recommend completing a detailed clean every two weeks to ensure that dirt, road salt and debris are removed; it’s also a great habit to get into for 2025 to help keep your car in great condition. It may be necessary to clean more frequently if there has been heavy snowfall or when the roads are icy in the winter months. This will help to prevent build up and damage to the underside and body of your car.”
When should you wash your car?
“Make sure to wash your car when temperatures are above freezing to avoid causing damage and the risk of water re-freezing on your car as you clean. While washing your car on a sunny day might seem like a good idea, I would avoid doing it if it is too bright, or park in a shaded spot, as it can be difficult to see dirt and grime on your car if the sun is bright.
“If it’s too sunny, the sun’s heat can also speed up the drying process and leave behind noticeable water spots on your paintwork. If your car dries rapidly while cleaning it in the sun, it may dry leaving marks and streaks on your car. These marks can be difficult to remove and unsightly.”
Why should motorists clean their car at home?
Just under half of motorists (49%) admitted that they didn’t know how to wash a car themselves at home, instead preferring to rely on automatic car washes and valeting services.
“In the colder weather, it might be tempting to go get your car cleaned but I would advise against heading to your local car wash and instead complete the task at home,” Ben says.
With the average cost of an automatic car wash in the UK currently £6.30,3 Motorpoint has calculated that drivers washing their car every other week could expect to spend £164 on automatic car washes each year. If you’re looking to save money in 2025, washing your car more regularly at home is a great place to start.
Discussing the benefits of cleaning your car yourself, Ben said: “I’d always recommend washing your car yourself. Not only is it much cheaper than other options but you can also be confident that you’re doing everything possible to look after your car.
“Valeting services or hand car washes can be a good option if you don’t feel confident cleaning your car at home but be aware that you won’t always know what products have been used and they can be expensive, especially if you’re cleaning your car every couple of weeks.
“As a general rule, I’d avoid automated car washes because badly maintained ones can scratch your paintwork, which isn’t just expensive to fix but can lead to more serious problems like rust and corrosion if left untreated.”
