Survey: DIY auto repair still popular

CARSON, Calif. (Oct. 2 2014) — Nearly half of do-it-yourselfers report doing more auto repair work on their own this year than last year, and two-thirds say they are more likely to attempt a difficult job, according to an AutoPartsWarehouse.com survey of nearly 3,000 consumers.

The findings show that DIY auto repairers are chiefly driven by cost-savings (one-third report saving more than $1,000 per year), but also by the enjoyment of the actual work, according to the online auto parts and accessories retailer.

The percentage of those who say they do it themselves to save money trended down slightly, while those who say they do it themselves because they enjoy working on cars increased, compared with a 2012 survey. More than half of women DIYer respondents said they are doing more DIY auto repairs this year than in 2012.

There was a major increase in those reporting that even though their financial situation has improved, they still will DIY over going to the repair shop, according to AutoPartsWarehouse.com.

When asked why they are doing more work this year than last year, 36 percent of respondents answered  “Holding onto my vehicle for longer” — which tied the number of respondents saying they were motivated by saving money.

Overall, “saving money” was the main reason for 79 percent of respondents for doing any DIY auto repair work on their vehicles; however, that has dropped about four percentage points from 2012, the study said. “Because I enjoy it” was cited by 66 percent, up 2 percent from 2012.

The company said the main drivers for an interest in DIY is that consumers are holding on to their vehicles longer and the Internet is providing easy access to parts and accessories, as well as how-to information on repairs.

The survey noted that about 74 percent of DIYers own used vehicles, with 64 percent owning vehicles with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer.

For women DIYers, who made up about 15 percent of respondents, saving money was a bigger driver to DIY than for men — 44 percent vs. 31 percent of men.

For more information on the study, visit the AutoPartsWarehouse.com website.

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