A Third of Drivers More likely to Attempt Car Repairs Due to Cost-of-Living
Less than half (48%) of drivers who carried out their own repair believe it “went well”.
63% of drivers who attempt repairs do so without asking for a garage or mechanic quote first.
Half (49%) of car owners admit to turning to YouTube or online forums for DIY car help.
The cost-of-living crisis is driving a new, and potentially dangerous, trend for drivers in the UK as research reveals that more people are carrying out DIY car repairs in order to save money.
A new survey of over 4,500 car owners from WhoCanFixMyCar, the UK’s largest car maintenance marketplace, reveals that over a third (36%) of UK drivers are more likely to attempt making their own car repairs than book a professional, due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Alarmingly, the survey also revealed that DIY repairs ended in failure 34% of the time, with a further 17.5% of repairers ‘uncertain’ of how successful they had been.
Car repair prices have increased drastically over the past few years, driven by increasing operational, spare parts and energy costs. Between 2020 and 2023, WhoCanFixMyCar’s data shows that the average price of a full vehicle service increased by 17%, and the average price of a clutch replacement saw an even steeper incline of 35%. It’s hardly surprising, under these circumstances, that motorists are looking for ways to save money.
However, there is a risk that DIY repairs could endanger road users and cost car owners more in the long run - especially since so few (37%) are taking the time to compare mechanic quotes first.
David Loy, Interim CEO at WhoCanFixMyCar, says: "Although it's great that people have the confidence to work on their cars, our research shows that approximately one in three DIY repairs goes wrong. Ultimately, an incorrectly repaired car is an unsafe car. Some drivers may be unable to identify a bad repair until it's too late, resulting in a costly breakdown or, worse, a road accident.
"It's important that car owners understand the risks associated with DIY repairs and are working on their vehicles safely. If you have doubts about your mechanical know-how, we recommend booking a professional to do the job and using price comparison on platforms like ours to help you save money."
In addition to a rise in DIY repairs, there has also been an increase in the number of money-conscious motorists using WhoCanFixMyCar to find affordable car repairs, with January being the marketplaces’ strongest month on record for visitors.
The top five most requested services were:
MOT
Full service
Clutch replacement
Cambelt and water pump
Full service and MOT
This data shows it isn’t just expensive jobs like a clutch replacement that drivers hope to save money on - it’s general maintenance, too.
Increasingly, car owners are no longer happy to use the first garage they come across. They want to compare prices and find the best deal, which is where WhoCanFixMyCar can help.