In news that will come as no surprise to most mechanics, modern cars are so complicated that motorists no longer feel confident repairing their vehicles at home.
This is according to research commissioned by OBDeleven, which surveyed more than 1,500 motorists to discover that two thirds (66 percent) of drivers believe that their car is now too complex to fix or spot faults independently.
Nearly three quarters (72 percent) of new car owners find their vehicle too complex to repair, compared to 60 percent of used car owners.
Many modern cars now have up to 150 ECUs, up from around 200 in the 1990s.
OBDEleven’s Juozapas Preikša, said: “Increasing vehicle complexity and a reluctance to visit the mechanic could be brewing a perfect storm on Britain’s roads – as many motorists could be driving their cars with serious faults, putting themselves and other road users at risks.
“This might prompt more motorists to purchase pocket-sized devices, meaning drivers can spot issues with their vehicle, without receiving a hefty bill from the mechanic.”