Blackburn, 31 July 2025
A new survey conducted by Warrantywise, the UK’s leading provider of extended car warranties, has found that nearly half of UK drivers don’t understand basic cruise control warning lights – a discovery that raises serious concerns about the real-world impact of increasingly complex car technology and self-driving ADAS systems.

From alerts for lane assist to adaptive cruise control, the symbols now found on many vehicles’ dashboards appear to be causing more confusion than confidence, with four in ten drivers (41 per cent) admitting they don’t recognise or understand a single warning light from a suite of basic cruise control-related warnings. In a world where cars can steer, brake and park themselves, many drivers are left struggling with what should be the most basic line of communication from their car: the dashboard. When that confusion leads to hesitation or inaction, it can have real consequences – not just for road safety, but also for repair costs.

Antony Diggins, Managing Director at Warrantywise, said: “Modern vehicles are more connected and capable than ever – but that complexity isn’t always matched by driver knowledge or confidence. Dashboard alerts are designed to keep us safe, but they’re only effective if drivers know what they mean – and act on them. Technology is a brilliant thing when it works, but even something as simple as not recognising a warning light can cause drivers to delay action. Vehicles may be getting smarter, but we believe peace of mind should still be simple. Our mission at Warrantywise is to give drivers confidence – not just in their cars, but in knowing they have the right support when something unexpected goes wrong.”

The findings reflect a broader concern across the industry about so-called ‘tech overload’ – where increasingly complex digital systems create barriers rather than benefits. One study found that 61 per cent of drivers don’t regularly use their vehicles’ advanced features, and nearly a quarter have turned off driver assist functions entirely, citing confusion or distraction as the main reason¹.

Under the bonnet – and behind the screen – modern cars are now more advanced than ever. Many new vehicles contain upwards of 100 million lines of software code – more than a commercial airliner or even a modern fighter jet². That level of complexity can make even small issues difficult (and expensive) to diagnose, especially when drivers aren’t confident in what their cars are trying to tell them.

The risk is that if drivers don’t recognise a warning light, they may wait too long to take action, potentially turning a minor issue into a major fault. As vehicles continue to integrate more electronic systems, being able to identify when something isn’t right has never been more important.

For those unsure what their dashboard is telling them, the advice is simple: don’t ignore it. Recognising your car’s warning signs can help prevent driver-caused damage, reduce the risk of long-term damage, and avoid stress when the unexpected happens. With a commitment to clear communication, fair pricing and a customer-first mindset, Warrantywise continues to support drivers across the UK as technology behind the wheel evolves.

For more information, please visit www.warrantywise.co.uk.