The End of Self-Car Repair?

Are more and Mobile Mechanics Basingstoke more people forgetting basics car maintenance?

A new survey from 2020 found that almost 50% of British drivers, did not understand the basics of vehicle maintenance. YesAuto, completed a study in which 2,000 drivers were tested on how to pump up their tyres. 1/3 of participants failed the test, with almost half finding the test ‘confusing’.

I struggled to believe these results when I looked at them but you cannot argue with the facts. As a young car owner, myself, I found great enjoyment in understanding and learning about how to look after my car. Especially, as second-hand cars rise in price, I believe it essential for us young drivers to be looking after our vehicles with care.

Considering you can be fined up to £2,500 for each overly worn tyre, and points on your driving license, I would have thought those who care for their cars would at least be able to measure the correct tread depth. The YesAuto findings found a quarter of participants didn’t know how to check the required tread depth. If you are pulled over with 4 worn tyres, you could face 12 points on your driving license, and a whopping £10K fine. If that isn’t enough to make you want to learn, I don’t know what is.

I understand not being interested in cars or mechanics; I wouldn’t say I exactly have a passion for it myself. However, after spending a large portion of my own money on a 2011 Vauxhall Corsa, my interest and understanding has grown significantly. Perhaps, there is a new generation of drivers, whose parents were never taught the basics of car care. Regardless, the internet has a swath of videos and tutorials for most models of car.

Recently, I changed all the spark plugs in my vehicle – a simple task for many readers I know, but I was never taught. I grabbed my dad’s socket set and set out to change them myself. I followed a Youtube video, completed the task and now have a skill for life. Yet, I find it remarkable, that 24% of the participants had no clue how to check their engine oil.

I traveled 4.5 hours to Leeds Festival in August from Dorset. Another friend of mine, travelled up in his car. As we were leaving once the festival and finished, my friend's engine oil light came up on his car. Bringing no engine oil with him, and due to my understanding of the situation, it wasn’t looking good. Luckily, I bought some engine oil with myself, for my car, as I was aware of how long journeys can impact the oil (especially when it hasn’t had a recent change). He also, had no clue where to pour the oil, or how to check the dipstick (which was as dry as a bone).

Now I still have a lot to learn, but I am yet to understand why so many young drivers fail to take responsibility or care for the vehicle that very much needs it.