Delete
Urgente Plácido Domingo llega, por sorpresa, en concierto a Alicante
An alarming 95% of Spaniards prioritise saving over the safety of their cars. F. P.

95% of Spaniards Prioritise Saving on Their Vehicles Over Safety

A. Noguerol

Jueves, 3 de julio 2025, 09:05

The pursuit of savings is seriously compromising road safety in Spain. A staggering 95% of Spaniards prioritise saving money over the safety of their vehicles. This reality is evident in situations such as vehicle repairs, where nearly half of drivers have postponed important repairs for economic reasons. Additionally, more than 80% have opted for cheaper insurance policies, despite offering less coverage, to achieve financial savings.

This is reflected in the study, "Savings or Safety? How Drivers Decide When Buying and Maintaining Their Vehicles," presented by Fundación CEA and Continental, which reveals that an alarming 95% of Spaniards prioritise saving over the safety of their cars. This trend is evident in critical decisions that directly affect the integrity of vehicles and, consequently, road safety.

The study also highlights one of the most significant issues in Spain's automotive reality: the age of the vehicle fleet.

More than 40% of drivers indicate that their vehicles are over 11 years old, and half report that their vehicle is second-hand. Furthermore, it has been observed that the European automotive sector is not at its best, as 9 out of 10 respondents considered purchasing a vehicle from non-European brands, and 1 in 2 eventually did so.

At the same time, it has been noted that safety is not a determining factor in purchasing decisions, as only 3% prioritised it over price when acquiring their vehicle.

The saving mentality also extends to car maintenance. Far from the proactivity required by an ageing vehicle fleet, it is most common for drivers to visit the workshop only when "strictly necessary." Moreover, one in two drivers chooses the mechanic that best suits them by price, and less than 20% opt for the official service. There is also no preference for manufacturer-recommended parts, with nearly 80% choosing the cheapest options. When asked about the main impediment to investing more in safety, a resounding 93% cite economic cost.

Despite this general trend, drivers do recognise the importance of not skimping on key aspects such as brakes (99%), tyres (99%), and airbags and passive safety systems (79%). However, the case of tyres is paradoxical: despite their importance, they are given an average importance (almost 3 out of 4 rate them 6 or 7 out of 10), and 79% have already opted for 'low-cost' tyre brands.

Rafael Fernández Chillón, president of Fundación CEA, emphasises the need to promote "informative campaigns to help improve this situation, as well as to implement a plan of fiscal aids to assist in the renewal of the Spanish vehicle fleet." Meanwhile, Alberto Muñoz, director of communication and public relations at Continental, reaffirms his company's commitment to road safety and raising awareness of its importance.

Esta funcionalidad es exclusiva para registrados.

Reporta un error en esta noticia

* Campos obligatorios

todoalicante 95% of Spaniards Prioritise Saving on Their Vehicles Over Safety

95% of Spaniards Prioritise Saving on Their Vehicles Over Safety