Should I Fix It? Understanding the UK’s car maintenance confidence levels
Basic car maintenance is an important part of staying safe on the road, yet many drivers lack the confidence to properly check their vehicles. In fact, our new survey found that more than half of UK drivers (58.5%) would feel more independent if they could handle minor car issues themselves.
To explore where drivers lack confidence in vehicle upkeep, the MoneySuperMarket Car Insurance team surveyed 2,000 UK drivers to see how they approach maintenance, which tasks they feel comfortable completing, and where they need support. We also spoke with Halfords experts, who shared safe, practical tips for common checks.
Alongside building confidence in basic maintenance, it’s also important for drivers to understand what their insurance does and does not cover.
Insurance Expert
Alicia Hempsted, Car Insurance Expert, at MoneySuperMarket, explains:
“Knowing how to carry out routine vehicle checks can help drivers spot small problems before they become more serious.
“Standard car insurance is designed to protect against unexpected events like accidents, theft or fire. It doesn’t typically cover general wear and tear, poor maintenance or mechanical failure. Keeping on top of routine maintenance can help drivers stay safe and avoid preventable costs.
“Our interactive tool is designed to help drivers feel more confident carrying out simple maintenance tasks, while also making it clear when you should call a professional. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to seek expert help than risk making the problem worse.”
Understanding UK drivers’ car maintenance confidence
For many drivers, maintenance know-how depends on the task. While some are comfortable handling certain jobs themselves, others avoid them altogether, often out of uncertainty.
Our survey explored which maintenance tasks UK drivers feel confident tackling, which they tend to leave to a professional, and how they respond to dashboard warning lights, which are often the first sign something is wrong.
Drivers are generally confident in carrying out routine vehicle checks, but far less consistent with more technical maintenance.
Topping up screenwash (76.07%) is the most common task people do themselves, with over three-quarters saying they feel confident doing so. Around 73% have also checked or corrected their tyre pressure by themselves.
However, confidence drops for more technical tasks. More than half of drivers (57.8%) have sought professional help when changing a tyre, while 50.5% have done the same when replacing a headlight or taillight bulb.
Task | % who have previously sought professional help | % who have done it themselves |
|---|---|---|
Changed a tyre | 57.79% | 47.20% |
Replaced a headlight | 50.50% | 39.61% |
Replaced a windscreen | 45.20% | 50.75% |
Reset dashboard alerts | 42.61% | 42.91% |
Temporarily fixed or inflated | 40.51% | 52.70% |
Checked or topped up engine oil | 39.31% | 72.48% |
Checked or corrected the tyre pressure | 38.16% | 72.63% |
Used a car jack safely | 37.71% | 47.50% |
Fixed a window | 33.77% | 20.53% |
Jump-started a car | 31.57% | 51.10% |
Checked or topped up the windscreen washer fluid | 29.77% | 76.07% |
Some tasks also sit in a grey area between DIY and professional help. For example, windscreen wiper blade replacement is split between those who have done it themselves (50.8%) and those who have used a mechanic (45.2%). Similarly, resetting dashboard alerts is almost evenly divided, with 42.9% completing it independently and 42.6% seeking professional help, suggesting that uncertainty about where routine maintenance ends and specialist repair begins.
Why do drivers avoid DIY tasks?
The biggest barriers to DIY car maintenance are confidence and convenience. Almost 30% of drivers worry they’ll make a mistake or damage their vehicle, while a similar number say it’s simply easier to leave the job to a professional.
Beyond confidence, many drivers face practical challenges. One in four (25%) say they lack the right tools or equipment, while almost the same number (24%) do not trust their ability to carry out tasks safely and over one in five (21.9%) say they do not know how to complete certain maintenance jobs at all. This suggests that improving drivers’ knowledge alone isn’t enough, as many clearly need the confidence and equipment to put that knowledge into practice.
Emotional and situational barriers reinforce this reluctance. Over one in six (16.8%) of drivers find maintenance tasks physically difficult, while around one in seven (14.1%) feel anxious or intimidated and a similar proportion (13.5%) say they simply don't have the time.
Reason for avoiding DIY maintenance | % of drivers |
|---|---|
I'm worried I'll do something wrong and | 29.52% |
It's easier or more convenient to let a | 29.27% |
I don't have the right tools or equipment | 25.02% |
I don't trust my ability to do it safely | 23.98% |
I don't know how to do them | 21.88% |
I find it physically difficult | 16.78% |
I feel anxious or intimidated by the task | 14.14% |
I don't have time | 13.49% |
I feel it's someone else's responsibility | 10.34% |
I'm worried it could invalidate my insurance | 8.99% |
Dashboard warning lights and driver behaviour
Dashboard warning lights act as an early signal that something might be wrong, but they do not always prompt immediate action with around a third (31.7%) of drivers saying they have ignored a dashboard warning light for more than a few days.
Over one in three (35%) have ignored a check engine light, while nearly one in three have continued after a service required alert or tyre pressure warning (28.9%). More concerningly, around one in six have ignored oil pressure (15.6%), with the same amount having ignored battery and charging warnings (14.7%), and more than one in ten (12%) admitted to continuing to drive despite a brake system warning.
Notably, very few drivers say they ignored a warning because they didn’t understand it, suggesting the issue is less about interpreting dashboard alerts and more about how drivers prioritise risk, urgency and inconvenience.
Expert advice from MoneySuperMarket
Insurance Expert
Commenting on the findings, Alicia Hempsted, Car Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, says:
“Basic vehicle maintenance is one of the easiest ways for drivers to stay safe on the road and avoid unnecessary repair costs, but it’s important to know which jobs you can safely do yourself and when it’s time to call in a professional.
“While a lot of drivers are able to complete basic checks, we’re seeing that concerns around making mistakes and not having the right tools often lead people to rely on professionals instead.
“As a general rule, routine tasks such as checking tyre pressure, topping up screenwash or engine oil, and inspecting your lights and wiper blades are all good DIY starting points. Before attempting any maintenance, always check your vehicle handbook for the correct guidance, make sure you have the right tools, and never carry out repairs you’re unsure about.”
Methodology and sources
To create this report, MoneySuperMarket surveyed 2,000 UK drivers aged 18 and over who have regular access to a car.
Questions were asked to understand attitudes towards basic vehicle maintenance, including confidence levels, common DIY tasks, and reliance on professional help. Respondents were also asked about the barriers that prevent them from carrying out maintenance themselves and their behaviour when faced with dashboard warning lights.
The findings were analysed to identify overall trends in driver confidence, knowledge gaps, and decision-making when it comes to vehicle upkeep. These insights were combined with expert guidance from Halfords to provide practical context and guidance on completing routine maintenance safely. The results have also informed the interactive tool designed to help drivers understand what maintenance tasks they can carry out themselves and when it is best to seek professional support.
The survey was conducted between 27th April 2026 and 1st May 2026.
Author
Sara Newell
Commercial Director
Sara Newell is the Commercial Director for Motor & Home Insurance at MoneySuperMarket. With almost 20 years of experience in insurance, Sara has built a reputation as a results-driven leader who...
