Priced Out? The Rising Costs of Your Car, 4 April 2024, ITV1, “Tonight”

In this episode of Tonight, motoring journalist Ginny Buckley investigates the rising costs of car ownership and what is driving these price hikes. Buckley, a well-known figure in automotive broadcasting and journalism, is the founder of Electrifying.com, a platform providing jargon-free advice on electric and hybrid cars. She is also the first female motoring editor of a UK national newspaper and has presented various TV shows, including Holiday, Crimewatch, and Watchdog.

The cost of owning a car has been increasing, with insurance premiums and repair costs rising, on top of higher tax and fuel expenses. This episode explores why these increases are occurring and their impact on motorists. With car insurance at its highest level, the average driver is paying 63% more than in 2020. Buckley speaks to Jon Fong from the Association of British Insurers, who attributes the rise in premiums to increasing cost pressures and higher payouts in claims.

The programme also looks at the human cost of these price hikes. Buckley meets Amy from Leeds, who, facing mounting costs and with a young family to support, had to sell her car. Amy shares the difficulties she now faces regarding transport and the impact on her well-being, stating, “I definitely feel cut off.” The episode highlights how not having a car can affect employability and earnings potential, putting drivers in a challenging situation.

In addition to insurance and maintenance costs, other factors are contributing to the overall expense of car ownership. Potholes, for example, cause damage to vehicles, and the RAC were called out to almost 30,000 pothole-related breakdowns last year alone. The condition of roads adds to the financial burden on drivers and raises questions about the effectiveness of government efforts to address this issue.

With car prices and running costs on the rise, what can be done to ease the financial strain on motorists? Buckley investigates potential solutions and explores whether enough is being done to keep costs down.

Priced Out? The Rising Costs of Your Car airs on ITV1 at 8:30 pm on Thursday 4 April 2024.