Can we fix it? Yes we can!

Cash-strapped motorists have been increasingly doing their own vehicle repairs as the UK slowly edges out of recession, research suggests.

The latest data vehicle remarketing company, British Car Auctions (BCA) illustrates how motorists have been rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty with basic car maintenance jobs, rather than going to a garage or mechanic.

“Earlier generations of motorists would have had no qualms about getting their head under the bonnet and dealing with basic car maintenance themselves” said Tim Naylor, editor of the BCA Used Car Market Report.

“But, as motoring innovation has advanced through the nineties and noughties, motorists have increasingly relied on engine management systems to tell them when a service or repair is required and then let the experts take care of it.

“However, our new research suggests that for some tasks, drivers have reverted back to a ‘do it yourself’ attitude.”

Almost all (96%) of the drivers surveyed by BCA said that they would top up their oil themselves. And 93% said they would change their windscreen wiper blades; the same percentage feels confident topping up their anti-freeze.

Meanwhile, 83% wouldn’t be deterred from dealing with a flat battery. However, it seems that drivers are less keen to change a tyre, with only just over half (57%) stating that they would do this themselves.

While motorists may be doing it themselves for basic car maintenance tasks, when it comes to a breakdown, there was resounding support for the professionals.

Nearly three in four (73%) of respondents to the BCA survey said that they would call a breakdown service first if their car broke down.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, owners of older cars are the most likely to contact their breakdown service - 78% of owners of 7 to 9 year old cars and 76% of owners of a car aged 10 years or older. But one in five motorists would ask for help from a family member or someone they know who has knowledge of the workings of a car.

Tim Naylor added: “It is good to see that car owners are keeping on top of basic maintenance, as neglecting these important tasks can, potentially, have a damaging effect on a vehicle’s value when they come to sell. However, we would always recommend that motorists seek the advice of their garage or a professional mechanic for anything more than the most basic maintenance tasks as safety should never be compromised.”

The BCA surveyed 400 used car buyers in January 2014.

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