As many as 21% of motorists fail to make monthly checks on their vehicle.
Tyres are the least-checked item and drivers in the east of England and in London make the fewest checks, while those in the East Midlands, north east England and Scotland maintain their cars the best.
The poll of 1,610 adults found only 38% of motorists check tyre tread depth on a monthly basis.
Some only check their tyre pressure before making long journeys, while only 15% of drivers aged over 65 fail to make monthly maintenance checks, compared with 29% of those aged 18-24.
A total of 26% of women and 16% of men admitted to not performing basic maintenance on a monthly basis.
Ben Tyte, head of Sainsbury’s Car Insurance, said: “It’s simple, straightforward and requires just a few minutes to carry out basic checks, and doing so will give you peace of mind that your car is in a good condition and safe to be on the road.”
