Cost-of-living crisis 'hitting repairs'

Avoiding essential motor repairs can prove costly

- BY NORMAN SILVESTER

THE number of Scots caught driving dodgy unroadworthy cars has almost doubled in the past three years - with claims that many can't afford repairs due to the cost of living.

The latest Scottish Government figures on recorded crime show “vehicle defect offences” have risen steadily since the end of lockdown and travel restrictions.

In the year to June 2025, defect cases rose from 7798 to 10,117. That compares with 5611 in 2022 – 55 per cent of this year's total.

Defects are usually caused by poor maintenance, leading to faulty lights, steering, brakes and badly worn tyres.