As the cost of living crisis continues, an increasing number of motorists are turning to DIY repairs and maintenance to save money. But as new research reveals, it could become a false economy, as mechanics are called upon to correct their mistakes.
According to research by Aviva, almost half of motorists (45 percent) have botched a car repair or maintenance job – costing £803 on average to fix – despite half (50 percent) doing so in order to save money
Motorists in the North East say they have paid the most to fix a repair or maintenance gone wrong at £1,050 on average – more than double that of those in Wales who say they have paid the least at £478.
The research also reveals the three most common mistakes, namely:
- Checking and topping up fluids (22 percent)
- Replacing the car battery (21 percent)
- Replacing a broken interior component (20 percent)
Straightforward and inexpensive jobs for the country’s network of trained technicians, but potentially costly for the DIY mechanic.
The majority of motorists (97 percent) claim that they now fix or maintain their car themselves, compared to three quarters (75 percent) 10 years ago, indicating a shift in consumer behaviour when it comes to car ownership.
This shift could be explained by motorists having more access to resources for information, with almost half (47 percent) feeling confident about fixing their car on their own. In fact, just over half (51 percent) turn to video-sharing platforms such as YouTube for repair and maintenance tips, followed by websites and blogs (32 percent) and social media (19 percent).
Despite making costly mistakes, the majority (80 percent) of motorists say they are likely to continue doing car repairs or maintenance.
Hazel Johnson, director of motor claims at Aviva, said: “Our data shows that the majority of drivers have tried to repair or maintain their car themselves, which could be partly due to the breadth of advice available at their fingertips, as well as the desire to cut costs.
“While motorists are understandably trying to save money, repairing or maintaining your car incorrectly can be a costly mistake to make – especially if you heavily rely on your car. If you’re ever unsure, it’s always best to seek professional help in order to avoid paying potentially hundreds of pounds to correct a DIY repair gone wrong.”