Nearly 1 in 5 UK Drivers Trust Their Gut More Than Their Car’s Warning Light

New Autotrader research reveals the risky relationship UK drivers have with their dashboard warning lights, and how it could cost them £650

Almost one in five (19%) of UK drivers trust their own judgement over their car's warning system
An estimated 6.4 million motorists (16%) have driven for days or weeks with a warning light on
Young drivers are three times more likely to keep driving with the warning lights on for weeks than older generations

A new study from car leasing expert Autotrader reveals that nearly one in five UK drivers (19%) trust their own judgement over their car's warning system, with potentially dangerous consequences.

The new research, which surveyed 1,000 UK drivers, found that as many as 6.4 million¹ UK drivers (16%) admit to continuing to drive for days or even weeks while a dashboard warning light was on, rather than addressing the issue immediately.

While nearly half of drivers (49%) look up warning lights online before deciding what to do, only 36% take their car to a garage as soon as a warning light appears. More concerning still, over one in five (22%) continue driving, with plans to 'deal with it later'.

Why Drivers Ignore Warning Lights

Money worries are the cause of most drivers' decisions to ignore warning lights. The new research from Autotrader found that around 5.6 million UK drivers (14%) delay dealing with warning lights because they're worried about repair costs, while almost one in six (14%) admits to sometimes ignoring warnings because they're not sure what they mean.

However, with the average garage bill for unexpected repairs now standing at £650², drivers could be heading for a more expensive mechanic bill if they ignore a red light than if they deal with it right away.

An engine check light could mean anything from a loose fuel cap to a failing catalytic converter. In the best-case scenario, a loose cap could cost you as little as £10 to replace, but ignoring the warning without knowing the cause can have significant consequences to both your wallet and your car.

Expert Tips for Dealing with Dashboard Warning Lights

Autotrader's experts have shared their advice on how drivers should respond to warning lights:

Don't ignore them: Even if your car seems to be driving normally, warning lights are designed to alert you to potential problems before they become serious. Ignoring them can turn a small issue into an expensive repair.
Check your manual: Not all warning lights indicate the same level of urgency. Red lights typically require immediate attention, while amber lights may give you more time. Your car's manual will help you understand what each symbol means.
Seek professional advice: If you're unsure about a warning light, contact your garage or dealership. Many will provide free diagnostics or advice over the phone.
Consider predictable costs: If cost anxiety is preventing you from addressing car problems, leasing can offer peace of mind with clear monthly payments and maintenance often included, removing the fear of unexpected repair bills.

Erin Baker, car leasing expert at Autotrader, explains:

“The data clearly shows that when repair costs are predictable and covered, drivers are far more proactive about addressing potential problems. Lease holders are not only less stressed about warning lights, but they're also more likely to deal with them straight away, which ultimately leads to safer, better-maintained vehicles.”

Overconfident Men vs Anxious Women: Who Acts Faster?

There's a clear split between how male and female drivers react to warning lights. Men are more likely to continue driving and plan to deal with problems later (25% vs 19% of women) and are more confident they know which lights need urgent attention.

But that confidence might be backfiring. While women feel more stressed or anxious when a warning light appears, they are more likely to take immediate action: nearly two-thirds (65%) deal with warning lights as soon as they appear, compared to 57% of men.

Under-25s Nearly Three Times More Likely to Take Unnecessary Risks

Despite these risks, young drivers aged 18-24 are nearly three times more likely than those aged 55+ to continue driving for days or weeks with a warning light on (29% vs 11%).

This risky behaviour comes down to overconfidence, with nearly one in three (31%) 18–24-year-olds trusting their own judgement over the car's warning system, which is double the rate of 35–44-year-olds (16%).

Research³ shows younger drivers are more prone to ‘optimism bias’, the tendency to believe “it won't happen to me”, making them more likely to gamble with warning lights. On the plus side, age does bring wisdom: while only 37% of 18–24-year-olds deal with warning lights immediately, this rises steadily with age to 69% among drivers aged 55 and over.

Car ownership and maintenance

The study also shows that driver ownership also impacts the way drivers act towards warning lights. Finance buyers are 2.5 times more likely to delay addressing warning lights due to cost worries (23%) compared to lease holders (9%). Finance buyers are also the least likely to take their car to a garage immediately, with less than a third (29%) saying they visited a mechanic the last time a warning light appeared on their dashboard. Unlike lease agreements where maintenance is often included, finance buyers pay for all repairs themselves, which could explain this hesitance.

Our research shows a disconnect between what drivers know and what they do. While 69% agree that ignoring warning lights can put their safety at risk, and 67% worry about long-term damage to their car, many still delay acting, often due to cost anxiety. The irony is that the warning lights that are designed to prevent expensive failures are being ignored because people fear expensive failures. But in trying to avoid a garage bill today, drivers are often guaranteeing a much larger one tomorrow, and putting themselves at risk in the meantime.

Key spokesperson

Erin Baker

Autotrader’s Editorial Director

CONNECT

For more advice and leasing options, visit the Autotrader website.

Methodology

The research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Autotrader, among a sample of 1,000 UK drivers (aged 18+) who hold a full UK driving licence and drive a car at least occasionally.

Data correct as of February 2026.

¹Extrapolated figures are based on the survey's nationally representative sample applied to the UK's approximately 40 million licensed and active drivers, according to official Gov.uk figures.

²Source: RAC Report on Motoring 2025

³Source: Young drivers’ optimism bias for accident risk and driving skill study

Media enquiries: auto-trader-pr@propellernet.co.uk