The Ignorance Epidemic: Over 60% Drivers Don’t Know The Basics Of Their Car’s Miles And Maintenance

Most conversations about the dangers of skipping car maintenance center on tight budgets, enormous emergency expenses, and lack of access to essential services.

While these factors play a major role, a new Bumper survey reveals a bigger risk: Drivers in the U.S. aren’t tracking and know little about what matters for safe car ownership and driving.

This widespread lack of awareness is setting the stage for mechanical failures, costly repairs, and substantial driving hazards.

Not knowing what your car needs isn’t just about putting off servicing, it has massive repercussions for you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road.

The Ignorance Epidemic: What Most Owners Don’t Know

Our survey found that the majority of car owners aren’t just behind on their vehicle maintenance, they’re unaware of the basics.

When asked about their annual maintenance costs, over 60% of drivers didn’t know or weren’t sure what they spend. About 75% of owners couldn’t confidently estimate how many miles they drive annually.

Why does this matter?

Cars don’t fail all at once. They wear out gradually. Fluids break down, belts stretch, filters clog, and components designed to last 30,000 or 60,000 miles quietly pass that mark. Without a basic sense of usage and costs, owners are left reacting to problems instead of staying ahead of them.

If you don’t know how far you drive, it’s easy to underestimate how often your oil needs changing, when your brakes should be inspected, or how quickly your tires are wearing down. Warning signs may be neglected until a manageable issue turns into a repair bill with a comma in it.

The worst part? All this increases the risks of accidents and the severity of the damage they might cause.

Who Knows the Least? Mapping the Awareness Gap

The ignorance problem isn’t limited to car owners. Our survey found “not sure” responses across all vehicle types. Whether you drive a gas car, a hybrid, or an electric vehicle, the knowledge gap seems universal.

Both new drivers and people who have owned their vehicles for decades were equally likely to underestimate or completely guess their numbers.

This pattern isn’t found only in households under financial pressure. Even drivers who could comfortably afford routine maintenance often delayed it simply because they didn’t realize their vehicle needed it.

The result is a kind of maintenance paralysis: nothing seems urgent until the car forces you to tackle the issue, now with worse consequences.

Costly Consequences of Skipping Car Maintenance

Our analysis found that “not sure” respondents have the worst auto maintenance records.

While some drivers realize that cars overdue for maintenance are more likely to incur expensive repairs later, the biggest piece of the puzzle that even veteran owners often miss is that vehicles with poor or incomplete maintenance histories often fetch significantly less price on the resale market.

Why Relying on Warranties and Insurance Isn’t Enough for Car Protection

In our survey, just 7% of vehicle owners reported having an extended warranty.

But even if you have an extended warranty or full-coverage insurance, is it enough to keep you safe? The data suggests otherwise.

Our analysis shows that even among those with extra coverage, knowledge gaps persist and lead to serious risk.

People with warranties or better insurance aren’t more likely to know their maintenance schedule, track expenses, or annual mileage. That means coverage isn’t a substitute for awareness or routine vehicle upkeep.

Car Maintenance Schedules: What Owners Say They Do vs. What’s Actually Tracked

Most car owners say they follow their recommended maintenance schedules. But dig a little deeper, and few can recall the specifics, like the date of their last oil change or when new tires are due. There’s a big difference between good intentions and good records when it comes to regular car maintenance.

Getting Smarter About Car Ownership (Without Becoming a Car Expert)

The good news is that being a more aware car owner doesn’t require mechanical know-how or hours of research. It’s mostly about building a few simple habits and sticking with them.

Easy Simple Tips to Stay on Top of Car Maintenance and Avoid Costly Repairs

Track services and costs

Write down the date, mileage, and type of service every time your car gets work done. This can live in your phone, a small notebook in the glove compartment, or a dedicated car maintenance app. Over time, this log becomes surprisingly useful, especially when diagnosing issues or selling your vehicle.

Use reminders instead of memory

Phones are great at remembering things so you don’t have to. Set alerts for oil changes, fluid checks, tire rotations, brake inspections, and annual services. Tie them to mileage or dates, whichever works better for how you drive.

Learn your car’s service rhythm

Every vehicle has its own maintenance cadence. Oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, transmission service, and coolant flushes all happen on different timelines. Your owner’s manual or a quick search by make, model, and year will give you reliable intervals. A quick conversation with your mechanic can also help.

Don’t assume insurance or warranties cover awareness

Insurance and warranties help when something breaks, but they don’t track maintenance for you or warn you before problems start. Skipped services can even void certain coverage, making awareness more important than many drivers realize.

Use online tools like Bumper

Instead of relying on memory, old receipts, or vague timelines, Bumper brings key vehicle information into one easy-to-understand view. Service history, ownership details, and vehicle insights are organized so you can see what’s been done, what might be coming up, and what deserves attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most important maintenance to never skip?

Always keep up with oil changes, brake checks, tire rotations, and fluid top-offs. These basics prevent the most common and costly car problems. Your owner’s manual should list the best intervals for your vehicle.

Will warranties or insurance protect me if I miss maintenance?

Not really. Warranties and insurance usually don’t cover damage from skipped or overdue maintenance. They can help with unexpected breakdowns, but the best protection is staying on top of your car’s regular maintenance.

What should I do if I’m not sure when my car was last serviced?

Check your glove box for old receipts or ask your mechanic. They often keep digital maintenance records. You can also look for a sticker on your windshield (for oil changes) or estimate based on your annual mileage.

How often should I check my mileage or maintenance schedule?

A good habit is to glance at your mileage every month and review your car maintenance needs every 3 to 6 months. Set a reminder to do a quick check on the day you pay your car insurance or pair it with another recurring task.

I drive less than other people. Do I still need regular maintenance?

Yes. Even with low mileage, oil, fluids, and car parts still age over time. Follow either the mileage or the time interval (every 6 or 12 months) recommended in your owner’s manual, whichever comes first.

I feel overwhelmed by car care. Any advice?

You’re not alone. Start with just one step, such as a single note, an app download, or a calendar alert. Every bit of maintenance awareness helps, and once it becomes a habit, it gets much easier over time.

Where can I get help with car maintenance if I’m on a tight budget?

Look for local community organizations, nonprofit auto clinics, or educational events that provide car maintenance help. Some mechanics offer discount packages for essential services, and some states sponsor safer car or repair assistance programs for car owners.

Key Takeaway

The solution isn’t complicated. With basic tracking and a bit more attention, you’ll avoid surprise repairs, stretch the life of your car, and feel more confident every time you get behind the wheel.

Car care doesn’t need to be intimidating or time-consuming. Timely upkeep is the real upgrade. Your car, your budget, and everyone sharing the road with you benefit from it.

Ready to get started? Get to know your vehicle with a Bumper Vehicle History Report.