£402 MILLION REPAIR BILL FOR BRAND NEW CARS

• 10 per cent of accidents involved new 15 and 65-plate cars
• 32 per cent of new car accidents happen within two month of ownership
• Estimated 196,000 minor and serious new car accidents
• New car accidents occur on 57th day after registration on average

Nearly 10 per cent of all accidents over the last 12 months involved new 15 and 65-plate vehicles according to a study by Accident Exchange.

Accident prone buyers tended to prang their brand new pride and joy on the 57th day after the car was first registered, when averaged out. Putting those cars back on the road is estimated to have cost nearly £402 million* in just 12 months.

In fact, 32 per cent of all 15 and 65-plate accidents happened within just two months of ownership.

The crash statistics recorded by the accident management firm occurred between March 2015 and the end of February 2016. With an estimated 2.2** million accidents – minor and serious – occurring annually, that implicates 196,000*** 2015-plate vehicles.

The average cost of accident repairs is £2,050, meaning all 15 and 65-plate crashes cost drivers and insurers £402 million.

Scott Hamilton-Cooper, director of operations at Accident Exchange, commented: “Any accident is a traumatic and emotional experience for the driver and passengers, but this increases for those driving brand new vehicles usually costing a lot of money.

“Buying a new car is a big deal; the old adage that it’s the second largest purchase most people will make after a home still rings true.

“Whenever a driver reports a crash to us, we make sure they are back on the road as swiftly as possible and that their vehicle is repaired according to strict manufacturer approved guidelines. The vehicle should always be returned to factory finish condition for safety reasons and because it is someone’s pride and joy.”

Furthermore, historic research by Accident Exchange has found that up to 63% of motorists involved in an accident will purchase a new car within six months.

The study examined 35,800 incidents recorded by Accident Exchange between February 2015 and January 2016.

ENDS