Consumers Skip Car Maintenance Due to Tough Economy, Survey Finds

Forty percent of those surveyed said they are delaying work on their vehicles. The consumer watchdog publication said that it surveyed 1,699 consumers in November.

On average, those surveyed had 125 500 km on their current vehicle.

"This means many are quickly approaching major maintenance milestones, where replacing timing belts, brakes, and shocks becomes common and mechanical systems may begin wearing out," said Consumer Reports. "Drivers reported spending an average of $808 in the past year to keep their car running."

Delaying maintenance and repairs is a "costly gamble," according to Consumer Reports, which says such action can "lead to larger, more costly problems down the road."

It noted that lower-income households are more likely to delay necessary vehicle work. The youngest drivers, those aged 18-34, were more likely to delay work on brake pads and tires.

Consumer Reports said that some of those surveyed said "the car was becoming an embarrassment" because of deferred work.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the national unemployment rate stood at 8.6 percent in November. The annual average rate in 2010 was 9.6 percent, it noted.