BETHESDA, Md. (July 19, 2004) — Eighty-seven percent of vehicles that took part in April's National Car Care Month had a component that failed inspection, though that statistic is a slight decrease from last year's 90-percent failure rate.
“Compared to the 90-percent failure rate last year, the 2004 inspection results indicate that the motoring public is beginning to understand the importance of maintaining their vehicles,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. “While we are thrilled to see the numbers decrease, an 87-percent failure rate is too high. This just reinforced the fact that the aftermarket industry needs to continue to show its support for the campaign and keep the momentum going through donations and consumer education.”
The Car Care Council oversees inspection lanes, sponsored by local organizations and businesses, for the month-long consumer campaign. National Car Care Month is part of the ongoing consumer campaign, “Be Car Care Aware.”
According to statistics compiled by the Car Care Council, 25 percent of vehicles in inspection lanes failed because of improperly inflated tires and 10 percent failed for worn tread depth. The largest failure rate was for low, overfull or dirty motor oil, which caught 34 percent of vehicles. Only 2 percent failed for taillights.