Consumers Continue to Embrace DIY Auto Repair, Attempting More

Consumers Continue to Embrace DIY Auto Repair,
Attempting More Difficult Jobs and Report Saving Big Bucks
By Auto Parts Warehouse on September 30, 2014
DIY Auto Repair Survey Highlights:
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33% of DIYers report saving $1,000+
48% working on 10+ year-old vehicles
80% say easy access to parts online making them more likely to DIY
94% continue to DIY their vehicles in spite of improved finances
55% of women DIYers report doing more DIY this year
Carson, CA–October 1, 2014–Consumers continue to embrace auto repair DIY, and report that they
are saving hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars by doing so, this according to a new survey of
nearly 3,000 consumers released today by AutoPartsWarehouse.com.
The findings show that these DIY auto repairers are chiefly driven by cost-savings (one-third report
saving over $1,000/year), but also by the enjoyment of the actual work. In fact, comparing results to a
similar 2012 study, there has been a slight downtick in those DIY’ing to save money and a slight uptick
in those who say they DIY because they enjoy it – as well as a major increase in those reporting that
even though their financial situation has improved, they still will DIY over going to the repair shop.
Overall, nearly half of DIYers report doing more repair work this year than last year, and two-thirds say
they are more likely to attempt a difficult job. Interestingly, over half of women DIYer respondents say
they are doing more DIY auto repairs this year than in 2012. Why? One reason is saving money, but
the other key driver is that they are holding onto their cars longer (over 50% have cars that are 10+
years old). And the Internet continues to play a key role by delivering easy access to parts/accessories
as well as extensive how-to information, making these consumers more likely to perform both simple
and difficult DIY repairs.
The AutoPartsWarehouse.com 2014 DIYAuto Repair Report is based on an online survey conducted
among 2,843 consumers from May 29 to August 28, 2014.*
Report Highlights:
DIYers Saving Money and Keeping Their Vehicles Longer
Reflecting current trends, these self-identifying DIYers are reporting that they own older vehicles and,
given that DIYers tend to own used vehicles (74%), and do a lot of their own repair work (84% have
done some work on their vehicle in past three months), it is no surprise that:
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48% have vehicles that are 10 years or older
64% have over 100K miles on their vehicles
14% have over 200K miles
And they are pocketing quite a difference, nearly one-third say they are saving over $1,000 annually
by buying parts and doing their own auto repair work, with 62% saving over $500.
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By purchasing parts/accessories and doing DIY auto repair work yourself, how much do you estimate
you save yearly?
• Over $1000
33%
• $500 – $1000
29%
• $300 -$500
23%
• $100-$30011%
• I don’t think I save any money 2%
• $0-$100 / I don’t think I save any money2%
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DIYers Still Doing More DIY (especially women) and More Difficult Jobs
Overall, 44% of DIYers report doing more DIY work now than a couple of years ago. And, strikingly,
55% of female DIYers report that they are doing more of their own repairs this year than last. When it
comes to the level of DIY work, 67% of both male and female DIYers said that compared to two years
ago they are more likely to do a more difficult repair/upgrade job themselves than take it to the shop.
Economics Still a Factor, but a Little Less So
When asked why they are doing more work this year than last year, ‘holding onto my vehicle for longer’ is tied (36%) with ‘saving money’ (36%). Overall, ‘saving money’ is the main reason (79%) respondents give for doing any DIY auto repair work on their vehicles; however, that has dropped about four
percentage points from 2012 when it was 83%; ‘because I enjoy it’ was cited by 66%, just slightly up
(by two percentage points) from 2012.
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Which best describes why you choose to work on your own vehicles? (check all that apply)
• I enjoy it 66%
• To save money 79%
• I have the expertise
39%
• I trust myself more than a mechanic
41%
• I have classic or exotic car, and it’s a hobby
13%
• Other
6%
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Which best describes why you choose to work on your own vehicles?
Two things seem clear: the financial picture has improved since 2014 for nearly half of these DIYers,
but this is not necessarily driving them to the repair shop: of the DIYers who reported that their
financial situation has improved nearly all of them – 94%! – say that they will still do their own repairs
versus going to the repair shop – this is a big uptick from 79% in 2012.
Internet Continues to Influence…
The Internet is definitely making attempting DIY an easier proposition for consumers: when asked
why they would choose to do a difficult repair/upgrade on their vehicle rather than take it to the
shop, one-third cited the fact that there is more how-to repair information online and a whopping
80% overall (including those who do not identify as DIYers) said that easy access to auto parts/accessories online makes them more likely to DIY auto repairs/upgrades.
…So Does Learning from Dad – Especially for Women.
Forty-four percent of female DIYers, versus 29% of male DIYers, report that they learned to perform
maintenance/repair work on their vehicles from their dad/family. The data from female respondents
– admittedly, a smaller universe (85% male versus 15% female) – offered some interesting counterpoints in the study. For example, saving money appears to be a much bigger driver to DIY for women
than for men: 44% of women, versus 31% of men, say they work on their vehicles to save money and
when non-DIYers were asked why they have not done any auto maintenance/repair/upgrades themselves, women were far more likely to cite fear of breaking or damaging the car than men: 27% versus
18%.
Nevertheless, while men were more likely to attempt more difficult repair jobs such as replacing
transmission filters, flushing radiator/cooling system, repairing AC and repairing ignition wire sets, the
data shows that some women are also doing these repairs.
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Which of these jobs do you do yourself?
Jobs Male Female
• Change muffler 31% 13%
• Recharge/repair AC
37% 21%
• Replace transmission filters
38% 16%
• Repair ignition wire set 45% 17%
• Flush radiator/cooling system 51% 29%
• Replace fuel filters56% 29%
• Replace spark plugs
62% 38%
• Replace brake pads
63% 35%
• Change oil filters 64% 40%
• Change oil64% 41%
• Add antifreeze 65% 45%
• Replace air filters 65% 41%
• Replace headlamp bulbs 66% 42%
• Replace windshield wiper blades 66% 45%
• Replace battery 66% 45%
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About AutoPartsWarehouse.com*AutoPartsWarehouse.com’s survey was conducted at www.automd.
com, and the analysis was conducted by AutoPartsWarehouse.com.