AT A time when 80 per cent of drivers are particularly concerned about the rising costs of motoring, research from MORI, on behalf of Direct Line Financial Services, shows that many would take drastic steps to cut the cost of driving.

Sixty nine per cent of us would consider abandoning the car in favour of walking or cycling, 51 per cent would opt for public transport, 32 per cent would buy a dual fuel car and people are more inclined to cut back on alcohol rather than cigarettes.

But Phil Kennedy, commercial director at Direct Line Financial Services, said consumers are going the wrong way about cutting their motoring costs: “lt's astonishing the lengths we will go to just to save a few hundred pounds, when spending 10 minutes comparing the best deals will save motorists thousands of pounds.” He said a Direct Line customer taking out a loan for a car of £10,000 could save £998 compared to the same loan with another company.

The report also shows that in order to find a decent price, 59 per cent of drivers have even resorted to petty haggling over the initial purchase price.

The study highlighted some regional variations, with Londoners being most concerned about the cost of motoring. People in Yorkshire are most likely to cycle or walk instead of using their cars and people in the North East are most inclined to put off replacing a car. Not unsurprisingly, every region cites changing insurance provider as the most common means of cost cutting.

He added: “Car buyers can also go direct to sites like jamjar.com. Because they give customers the cheapest price, customers can avoid the hassle of haggling altogether. For example, a Vauxhall Zafira Comfort five-door costs just £12,445 with jamjar.com - a massive saving of £2,550 compared to the list price."