A transmission replacement surely couldn’t be that hard, could it?*

You’re not alone if you’ve started being overly ambitious about your DIY car repair skills in these fun cost-of-living times. In fact, a fair few Aussies have either been delaying essential car services or taking on car maintenance tasks themselves to save some cash.

60% of Australian vehicle owners have changed their vehicle maintenance habits amid economic pressures, according to research commissioned by mycar Tyre & Auto.

And as many in one in five Aussies are now servicing their own cars to save money, according to research by Finder.

So – should we all be investing in our own spanner sets and oil pans? Let’s break it down.

We’re cutting costs when it comes to car services

Quite a few of us Aussies are putting off visits to mechanics as costs have climbed. Nearly a quarter of Australian vehicle owners report extending intervals between regular maintenance services. Meanwhile, 12% of us have done our own car maintenance in the past 1-5 years to delay a visit to a mechanic. When we finally do get to the mechanic, 21% of us say we opt for lower-cost maintenance services or repairs when they’re available. So while that’s not every vehicle owner diving into DIY car repairs, it’s still a fairly significant number of people trying to cut costs where possible.

And this is definitely understandable! The pressure is expected to start easing now there’s been an interest rate drop, but servicing and tyre costs have been steadily rising in the last few years (much like everything).

This growth in vehicle DIY is also reflected in an online trend…

The wave of car DIY influencers

If you’re on TikTok you might have come across #CarTok, where influencers are recommending DIY car repair tips aplenty. But as with everything on social media, some of these videos are best taken with a grain of salt. UK brand Auto Trader analysed a selection of these videos and determined that 76% of car repair videos shouldn’t be attempted by inexperienced mechanics. Some TikTok and YouTube influencers are also incentivised to promote Temu car parts in their tutorials. While non-genuine parts might cost a fraction of the real thing, they’ve been slammed as a risky choice when it comes to safety, performance and reliability.

On the other hand, 70% of #CarTok videos about car maintenance were found to be helpful for drivers – showing that home car maintenance is a lot more approachable for the average Joe.

How risky can DIY car repair really be?

Naturally, there’s a massive difference between doing your own oil change and attending to a major issue. But where we’re talking about those big DIY car repairs or replacements, there are a few important risks to consider.

First, there’s the risk that the problem might not be completed properly, leading to further issues, wear and tear or unsafe driving. Nearly a fifth of the vehicle owners in the mycar Tyre & Auto research said they handle complex tasks themselves such as brake pad replacements or brake system maintenance, which can be dangerous if completed incorrectly. Elements like suspension or steering are obviously vital to safety, so experience is going to be pretty important in these areas.

There’s also the risk that home car repairs could void your car insurance. Insurers will sometimes void claims if there have been undisclosed modifications to a vehicle, for example. And if there’s a lack of clear service or repair documentation, this could also affect your sales price if you decide to sell your car.

Finally, DIY car maintenance accidents do sometimes cause serious injuries and deaths. The ACCC sent out a caution about this a few years back, stating that around 120 Aussies had died as a result of DIY car maintenance accidents since 2000. Of those, most involved not properly lifting or supporting a vehicle while working under it. So if you are DIY-ing, take the time to do it safely!

Preventative maintenance can still save serious $$$

There’s definitely some simple car maintenance that can be done at home and help you get the best value out of your ride. And Australians are pretty good at this: the mycar research shows that 77% of vehicle owners have been performing some form of car maintenance themselves. Checking tyre pressure and fluid levels regularly is a great start, and changing things like windscreen wipers and headlight bulbs can help save money too. At the next level up there are oil changes, air filter changes and so on.

Of course, it’s really satisfying to be able to service or fix your car yourself, and plenty of Aussies work on their cars because they love to do so. It’s just good to know your limitations, and recognise when to trust the experts. When it comes to the big things like brakes, steering or suspension, just make sure whoever is working on your car knows what they’re doing. That’s the key to DIY that’s smart and not sketchy.

Value matters when it comes to buying a car, too

If you’re in the market for a second-hand car, there are a few steps you can take to save money and avoid unnecessary costs, such as checking for a service history and making smart use of used car finance to suit your needs. Carma makes both of these things easy, so it’s an ideal place to start your search for a pre-loved car. What’s even better: every car has been checked over in detail by mechanical experts, and comes with a 3-month warranty. Get searching today!