New research for Kwik Fit, the UK’s leading automotive servicing and repair company, has revealed that the country’s decision to vote for Brexit has had an immediate impact on many people’s holidays.  More than 3 million people who had holiday plans for the rest of the year say that those plans have now changed.  Over 1.5million Brits say that the outcome of the referendum has led them to holiday in the UK instead of going abroad.  850,000 people said that they are now going abroad rather than staying in the UK, while 900,000 are no longer going on holiday this year.

Brexit has had the greatest impact on the plans of younger holidaymakers.   Over 880,000 people aged 18-34 have decided to switch from going abroad to staying in the UK, more than double the number aged 35-54. On a regional basis Kwik Fit found that the vote to leave the EU has been felt most heavily by those in the North East, where nearly one in six of those still to go on holiday this year said they are switching to the UK instead of going abroad.

Of those Brits that have decided to now holiday within the UK instead of going abroad, their main reasons for doing so are around cost, either opting for a cheaper holiday due to concerns around the UK’s future economy (40%), or saying that travelling abroad is now more expensive (39%). Further to this 31% want to support the UK economy, and over a quarter (28%) are worried British people will be less welcome in Europe following the referendum.

Whether they have changed their plans or not, are staying in the country or heading to Europe, Kwik Fit’s research found that more than half (52%) of all holidaymakers will be using their car on at least one trip this year.  The average distance which a Brit will drive their car on holiday this year is 1,002 miles, with Londoners driving 1,409 miles, nearly six hundred miles more than the average holiday maker from the East Midlands (817 miles).

Despite setting off on such lengthy trips, many holidaymakers neglect to make some of the most basic checks on their car beforehand. Four in ten (40%) don’t check their tyre pressures and six in ten (60%) don’t check their tread depth.    Only around half of all drivers check their oil levels (53%) and screenwash levels (52%), with even fewer checking coolant (39%) and brake fluid (33%).   Fewer than one in five (19%) have their car serviced before they set off.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, says: “While the vote for Brexit has changed the holiday destination for many people, the nation’s cars are still going to be travelling millions of holiday miles this year.  It’s therefore vital that motorists are as prepared as possible – there are some very easy checks to make which will help prevent a holiday coming to a premature halt, wherever people may be heading off to.”

If any drivers have any concerns over the condition of their car, they can take it to a Kwik Fit centre for a free check.

For the latest news and updates from Kwik Fit, customers can follow the company on Twitter at @kwik_fit.