PressClub United Kingdom · Article.
Drivers Lose 565 Hours to Car-related Admin over a Lifetime
Tue Aug 05 09:50:00 CEST 2025 Press Release
A poll of 2,000 drivers, of all vehicle makes and models, revealed that on average, they spend the equivalent of a full day each year thinking about service schedules, MOTs, and potential issues - time that could be better spent elsewhere. The research was commissioned by BMW, whose Proactive Care service is designed to give drivers added confidence and convenience, working quietly in the background to help keep them moving with greater peace of mind.
Motorists ‘lose’ up to 565 hours of their lives to car-related admin
and maintenance planning.
A poll of 2,000 drivers, of all vehicle makes and models,
revealed that on average, they spend the equivalent of a full day each
year thinking about service schedules, MOTs, and potential issues -
time that could be better spent elsewhere.
Over 6 in 10 (63 per cent) have missed important occasions
because they couldn’t get there due to a car-related problem. In fact,
drivers reported having to change plans an average of four times a
year due to undetected car issues.
The research was commissioned by BMW, whose Proactive Care
service is designed to give drivers added confidence and convenience,
working quietly in the background to help keep them moving with
greater peace of mind. Available on every BMW less than 10 years old,
the technology uses real-time vehicle data to alert drivers to
potential issues before they become problems, remind them about
scheduled maintenance, or offer immediate support following an accident.
To bring this to life and raise awareness of this intelligent
technology, BMW used car tyres to create a striking clock visual
sculpted in beach sand to symbolise the precious hours that could be reclaimed.
Werner Pagenstert, Customer Support Director at BMW Group UK
said: “Time is the ultimate luxury and shouldn’t always be lost to car
admin or unplanned maintenance. Proactive Care helps drivers reclaim
those 565 lost hours and spend more time doing the things that matter
most to them.”
The study also found that nearly half of drivers (46 per
cent) say motoring admin takes up valuable headspace. Many still rely
on traditional methods to stay organised, with over half (52 per cent)
using diaries to manage service schedules, 37 per cent waiting for a
dashboard alert before acting, and 37 per cent admitted to actively
delaying visits to a garage.
The impact this has on car ownership is significant, with over
two thirds (68 per cent) of motorists saying they’d enjoy driving more
if they had greater peace of mind.
This comes as the average Brit spends just a tenth of their day
doing what they actually want, with the rest absorbed by obligations
and life admin. When asked how they would prefer to use time reclaimed
from car-related admin, a third (33 per cent) said read more, 32 per
cent would prioritise exercise, and a quarter would book themselves a
much-needed holiday.
For many, getting away from it all is key: 37 per cent crave
more trips and holidays to escape daily pressures, and 1 in 5 admit
that holidays are the only time they can fully switch off from
everyday stress and life admin. Furthermore, a quarter (24 per cent)
said that true relaxation only comes once they’re physically away from
their everyday stresses.
To help Brits make the most of their reclaimed time, BMW has
partnered with the Seren Collection hotels in Wales to offer one lucky
driver a two-night luxury stay for two - complete with a tasting menu
experience - and use of an all-electric BMW for the duration of the trip.
Pagenstert continues: “With so many people valuing this quality
time away, we wanted to offer drivers the chance to do exactly that,
whilst demonstrating the peace of mind that Proactive Care provides.
Entries are open from 24 July to 24 August 2025. Entrants must
be aged 21 or over; driving licence restrictions apply. For full terms
and conditions and to enter, visit https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/campaigns/proactive-care-competition.html.
To find out more about BMW Proactive Care, please click here.
Ends
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW
Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of
automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial
services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30
production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in
more than 140 countries.
In 2024, the BMW Group sold over 2.45 million passenger vehicles
and more than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in
the financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to €
142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce
of 159,104 employees.
The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on
long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key
element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products
from the supply chain and production to the end of their useful life.
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For further information please contact:
Tom Evans
Senior Press Officer, BMW
Tel: 07815 371
705
Email: Tom.Evans@bmw.co.uk
Chris Overall
BMW Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815
370 990
Email: Chris.Overall@bmw.co.uk
Christina Burnham-Hepe
Corporate Communications
Director
Tel: 07815 371 206
Email: Christina.Burnham-Hepe@bmw.co.uk