Cars are now so complicated that puzzled motorists no longer feel confident repairing their vehicles for themselves.
That’s according to research commissioned by vehicle diagnostic experts, OBDeleven, who surveyed over 1,500 motorists to discover that a staggering two thirds (66 per cent) of drivers believe that their car is now too complex to fix, or even spot, faults independently.
The dilemma is felt most by owners of brand-new models, with nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of new car owners finding their vehicle too complex to repair, compared to 60 per cent of used-car owners.
Many modern cars now have up to 150 electronic control units (ECUs), running functions such as engine and power steering controls, as well as more contemporary features such as lane assist and adaptive cruise control. In the 1990s, vehicles typically had around 20 ECUs (McKinsey).
However, thousands of smart-thinking motorists have found a solution to diagnosing issues with their vehicles for themselves, in the form of OBDeleven, a pocket-sized diagnostic tool which scans for issues within the engine, transmission, anti-lock braking system (ABS), and others.
Using the Bluetooth enabled tool, in the three months up to November this year, UK motorists identified almost 65,000 issues, with a faulty licence plate lamp and voltage too low on remote key locks among the most common issues spotted.
Juozapas Preikša, vehicle diagnostic expert at OBDeleven, commented: “The ability to spot and repair vehicle faults used to be a skill shared among many motorists, meaning many routine, but hugely important, repairs could be carried out cheaply at home.
“But as cars have become increasingly complex, drivers have grown too confused and uncomfortable to get the toolbox out to repair their car, independently. This will explain the growing popularity of Bluetooth enabled tools, which can quickly and conveniently diagnose issues with the vehicle.”
The need for such tools could soon intensify, given that OBDeleven’s survey also discovered that amid the cost-of-living crisis, more than a quarter (28 per cent) of hard-pressed motorists are now less likely to take their car to a mechanic.
Juozapas, added: “Increasing vehicle complexity and a reluctance to visit the mechanic could be brewing a perfect storm on Britain’s roads – as many motorists could be driving their cars with serious faults, putting themselves and other road users at risks.
“This might prompt more motorists to purchase pocket-sized devices, meaning drivers can spot issues with their vehicle, without receiving a hefty bill from the mechanic!”
