The return of 1970s Britain is almost complete; everyone is either on strike, skint or both and now it seems motorists are becoming more frugal with their spending, with many opting to buy pre-owned car parts, pulling on their overalls and turning to DIY to fix their cars.
Amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, new research from eBay Ads UK finds that Brits are increasingly shying away from costly garage and mechanic expenses.
This appetite for DIY car maintenance is supported by insights from eBay Ads UK which show that a growing number of Brits are investing in the tools and equipment to fix their cars at home.
The move may also point to the changing face of the motor industry, with expensive lease cars being ditched in favour of car ownership.
In November 2022 searches for ‘tyre puncture repair kit’ on ebay.co.uk were over a third (40%) higher than the same month the year before, while searches for ‘bumper repair’ rose by a similar amount (30%) from October to November 2022.
However, fixing the big end is still way beyond most. According to the survey of UK consumers, over a third (36%) would tackle changing a tyre, while a fifth (19%) would install car mirrors — including wing mirrors, rear view mirrors and blindspot mirrors — themselves. Meanwhile 37% would replace interior and exterior light bulbs, and half (50%) say they would change their car windscreen wipers.
While consumers express intent to save, desire to be more sustainable is also driving a rise in the number of shoppers opting to buy second-hand car fixtures. This trend is most prominent among younger generations, with the research finding that almost a quarter (24%) of 17- to 24-year-olds surveyed and 26% of 25- to 34-year-olds regularly buy pre-loved car parts to save on costs — compared to just 9% of over-55s.
Meanwhile, 22% of 17- to 24-year-olds and a fifth (20%) of 25- to 34-year-olds claim that the idea of buying pre-owned car parts, rather than new ones, appeals to them for sustainability reasons, compared to 12% of 45-to 54-year-olds and just 9% of over-55s.
eBay Ads UK general manager Upasana Gupta commented: “As purse strings continue to tighten, consumers are understandably looking for ways to cut costs in all areas of life. Our latest research shows that this includes finding ways to reduce their motoring bills, with a growing number of Brits rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty — purchasing pre-owned parts and carrying out DIY jobs to fix their cars themselves.
“Brands and sellers must stay in-tune with how consumer behaviour is shifting away from traditional patterns in light of the ongoing economic crunch. Having an ear to the ground about these trends will help them to prepare and cater to their customers’ evolving needs and preferences in the year ahead — driving sales forward.”
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