Top reasons Americans avoid taking their car in

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

WHEN THE DREADED ‘CHECK ENGINE’ LIGHT COMES ON IN YOUR CAR, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

GET THIS: PEOPLE WAIT AN AVERAGE OF FOUR MONTHS BEFORE ADDRESSING THEIRS!

THAT’S ACCORDING TO A NEW SURVEY OF 2,000 AMERICAN CAR OWNERS WHICH REVEALED THAT ONE IN FIVE (20%) EVEN ADMIT TO PUTTING IT OFF BETWEEN SIX AND 18 MONTHS.

CONDUCTED BY ONEPOLL ON BEHALF OF PEP BOYS, THE DATA SHOWED THAT THIS MAY BE BECAUSE ALMOST ONE-THIRD (32%) WILL WAIT ‘AS LONG AS POSSIBLE’ BEFORE BRINGING THEIR CAR IN TO GET SERVICED.

AND IN FACT, ANOTHER 39% ARE LIKELY TO WAIT FOR AN INCIDENT OR FOR SOMETHING TO BREAK BEFORE EVEN CONSIDERING BRINGING THEIR CAR IN.

EACH YEAR, THE AVERAGE PERSON SPENDS MORE THAN $400 ON CAR MAINTENANCE ($438) AND ESTIMATES THAT THEY’VE SPENT AN ASTOUNDING $6,272 IN TOTAL SERVICING THEIR CURRENT CAR OVER THE YEARS.

WHAT CAR REPAIRS STRESS OUT AMERICANS THE MOST?

• Engine - 66%
• Brakes - 33%
• Fuel system - 31%
• Exhaust system - 16%
• Tires - 15%
• AC/heat unit - 15%

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 American car owners aged 25+ was commissioned by Pep Boys between March 29 and April 8, 2024. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).