U.S. drivers facing repair bill quandary

ORLANDO, Fla. — Roughly one out of three U.S. car owners can't afford to pay for an unexpected vehicle repair without going into debt, according to a new survey from AAA Inc.

AAA estimates the average cost of owning and operating a vehicle is more than $8,500 a year, and the bill for an unscheduled repair at between $500 and $600.

"AAA has found that millions of Americans are failing to set aside a car care fund to pay for the upkeep of their cars," said John Nielsen, AAA's managing director of automotive engineering and repair.

"To avoid a surprise down the road, drivers should budget for monthly payments, insurance premiums, fuel costs and the inevitable expenses of routine maintenance and repair."

Because some car repairs are unavoidable, AAA urges drivers to save at least $50 a month for unforeseen expenses, and identify a trusted repair facility before trouble strikes.

Although an average repair bill can set a driver back up to $600, the cost can soar higher when a vehicle has been poorly maintained, AAA maintains. The car owners' group recently published the results of a survey that shows one-third of U.S. drivers skip or delay recommended service or repairs.

In 2016 alone, AAA responded to nearly 32 million stranded motorists.

"Anticipating your vehicle's needs before problems strike is important," Mr. Nielsen said. "While it may seem that skipping maintenance and repairs can save money in the short term, staying on top of car care can save drivers hundreds of dollars in the long run."