RepairPal is excited to release the results from our Second Annual Car Care survey. The survey polled over 2,532 consumers who own or lease a car about their attitudes and behaviors related to the automotive repair industry. Here are some of the results:
Certification Comes First – It’s no secret that consumers feel hesitant about trusting mechanics. These issues associated with trust must be tackled head on, and the results from the Annual Car Care Survey point to repair shop certification as the key in reversing mistrust. With the introduction of new tools to help consumers research and evaluate shop reputations and certifications, industry transparency will improve, delivering peace of mind to car owners:
- Slow Transformation in Trust – Over half of respondents still believe they’ve been ripped off at an auto repair shop, though down from last year (66 percent)
- Money & Mistrust – 68 percent feel the costs associated with repairs and finding a trustworthy mechanic are what they hate most about taking their car to a repair shop
- Women Beware – 61 percent believe mechanics perform more unnecessary repairs for women than men; while down from last year (77 percent), this continues to be a major issue within the industry
- Certification Over Convenience – In a new question this year, respondents significantly value certification of quality and a knowledgeable staff (59 percent) over the convenience of a particular location (4 percent)
- Research, Review, Repair – Over half of respondents (56 percent) say they research suggested repairs before agreeing to recommended services
Unplanned Costs and Budgets, Oh My! – Car repairs can be costly, understandably causing stress and anxiety for consumers (especially when they’re not anticipated). That said, most don’t account for car-related expenses in their budgets, signaling a need for car owners to incorporate these costs into their financial planning:
- Repair Costs a Top Concern: Roughly half of respondents (49 percent) rank unexpected automotive costs as a top cause of financial anxiety, on par with fear of unemployment (53 percent) and emergency home repairs (50 percent)
- Maintenance Costs Overlooked: A whopping 64 percent admit they do not include costs associated with automotive maintenance and repairs when planning their budgets
- Big Hit to the Wallet: Nearly one in five (18 percent) spend more than 10 percent of their income on car repairs (planned or unplanned)
- Quality Trumps Price: When purchasing a used car, respondents report the quality of previous maintenance (58 percent) considerably outweighs the importance of the selling price (16 percent)
Car Ownership is Personal -There’s no doubt that car ownership comes with its share of challenges, but it also allows for incredible freedoms. Whether it’s hitting the open road or cruising with the windows down, for many, it’s personal:
- Goodbye Connectivity! – 84 percent of respondents said they would rather live without their smartphone than their car
- Car Talk Is The New Aphrodisiac – Knowing about your car can get your partner’s motor running: more than one-third (37 percent) think it’s sexy when their significant other is knowledgeable about all things auto
- Keeping Her Healthy – The majority of respondents (75 percent) take their car in for evaluation immediately or within a week of the ‘check engine’ light turning on
You can read the official press release here.
If you would like to learn about becoming a RepairPal Certified shop, simply fill out the short form in the upper right of this page.
