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Forty percent of drivers polled in a recent Consumer Reports study are delaying key repairs and maintenance on their cars. The nonprofit says that the delay can increase their risk of a safety issue that can lead to a car accident. Ignoring necessary repairs can also result in larger, more costly problems later.

Delays in replacing items such as brakes, tires and light bulbs pose the greatest risk of a car accident, while delaying mechanical repairs could result in a car crash, as well as create more complicated problems that cost more to fix, according to the study.

Those surveyed indicated that a repair bill of about $2,000 would be a “serious financial burden,” while 44 percent of respondents that delayed car repairs within the last year said that the value, safety or reliability of their car suffered.

While delaying car repairs may seem like the best choice when you are strapped for cash, it can easily cost more in the long run -- in the form of higher car insurance rates due to a car crash; a large repair bill because a long-ignored problem has caused other problems; or the purchase of a new car because of the early demise of the car due to neglect.

Tara Baukus Mello writes the cars blog as well as the weekly Driving for Dollars column, providing both practical financial advice for consumers as well as insight into the latest developments in the automotive world. Follow her on Facebook here or on Twitter @SheDrives.