The rising cost of living is putting the squeeze on consumers and their vehicle maintenance habits, but mycar says it is passionate about doing what it can to help

Amidst the growing cost of living crisis, mycar is acutely aware of the impacts this situation is having on consumers and their ability to prioritise vehicle maintenance, which is putting vehicle and consumer safety at risk.
While mycar says it has always worked hard to ensure vehicle maintenance is accessible for consumers, it says this is now more important than ever, as its inaugural mycar Mobility Index has revealed just how dramatically cost-of-living challenges are reshaping mobility in Australia.
The research surveyed 2,004 car or vehicle owners on their thoughts around EVs, vehicle servicing and maintenance, the role of technology in cars, and the future outlook for mobility in Australia.
After summarising the key findings in the September issue of Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine, in this article we dive deeper into the findings and their implications, with the help of mycar Managing Director, Adam Pay.

Vehicle maintenance and protection habits changing
• Three in five Australian car/vehicle owners (60 percent) have adjusted their vehicle maintenance habits amid economic pressures.
• Nearly a quarter (24 percent) have extended intervals between regular maintenance services.
• A fifth (21 percent) have opted for lower-cost maintenance services or repairs when available.
• 77 percent are undertaking some form of car maintenance themselves, with nearly a fifth (17 percent) claiming to handle complex tasks like brake pad replacements or brake system maintenance themselves.
• Financial pressures are prompting half (49 percent) of vehicle owners to adjust their insurance coverage, with over one in ten (11 percent) dropping it entirely, and over a quarter (27 percent) opting for cheaper policies while maintaining some level of coverage. 14 percent missed or struggled to make a vehicle insurance payment due to the rising cost of living. 
“It’s clear from the research that the current economic climate is causing customers to delay repairs or even carry out repairs themselves,” Adam said.
“We all know that cutting corners, ignoring minor issues, or attempting to carry out repairs that are ordinarily carried out by a highly trained technician, can often become major and costly in the long run.
“Our trained technicians have the technical expertise to provide high-quality servicing and repairs and are always ready to answer any questions our customers have when they visit.
“We want to help our customers be as safe as possible on the road through regular servicing and clear guidance on the best ways to care for their vehicle in between visits.
“While we have a series of ‘how to’ DIY videos on our social channels, which are received well, they’re focused on less complicated tasks; ones that are good for drivers in general to know.
“We also offer clever tools like ‘Auto Translate,’ a useful tool we created for car owners – from beginners to car enthusiasts – to explain car language in a way that’s easier to understand, using simple analogies to explain different car terms.
“Incorporated in these are messages regarding the need for regular servicing, along with the message that things wear over time, so regular maintenance is essential to keep your vehicle roadworthy, while also saving time and money in the long run by improving things like fuel economy. And addressing minor issues promptly can prevent them from becoming significant, expensive repairs in the future.
“People often cut corners in areas that may not seem immediately critical but can lead to bigger (and more substantial) issues over time. We recommend servicing every 10,000 km, every 12 months, or in line with the manufacturer’s logbook recommendation – whichever comes first.”
Adam further explained that mycar offers a range of options to support customers to get their car serviced at the required intervals.
“We pride ourselves on being customer obsessed and putting our people first,” Adam said.
“We understand that a car service should be easy on our customers and their budgets, which is why we aim to provide a range of options for everyone.
“Our fixed-price service, and clear communication from our technicians, means there aren’t any surprises on the final bill, and we offer car maintenance packages depending on our customers’ needs and budgets.
“Zip Pay and Afterpay are payment options we also provide for our customers, allowing them to stagger their payments, offering improved convenience and cash-flow management options for customers to pay for their service.
“In addition, whenever customers purchase tyres, servicing or repairs, they can receive one Flybuys point for every $1 they spend.
“The mycar team is always on hand to support our customers to choose the best package that is best suited for their car, taking into account vehicle age and kilometres driven.
“For those unexpected issues that customers may have with their car, it’s never been more important for our team to take the time to communicate clearly, carry out detailed, accurate inspections and make clear recommendations, to help the customer make the right decision about how to spend their money.
“For customers considering their next vehicle, we also offer pre-purchase car inspections that help prospective buyers understand the vehicle condition, what needs to be repaired and the cost to fix it to help our customers negotiate better.”

EV enthusiasts still outnumbered by sceptics 
• Cost-of-living concerns are making EVs more appealing, with savings on maintenance and fuel (32 percent) making them attractive, and the rising cost of fuel (40 percent) also a factor.
• Close to a fifth (18 percent) of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) drivers would consider switching to an EV due to concerns about their carbon footprint. 
• However, the majority (88 percent) of those surveyed still rely on petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles.
• Close to half (46 percent) of those ICE owners cite the servicing and maintenance of EVs as one of the major barriers for entry, alongside the limited range of EVs and limited availability of charging infrastructure (40 percent) and high upfront costs for EV, hybrid or hydrogen vehicles (38 percent). 
• This contrasts with the majority (82 percent) of current EV owners who report high satisfaction with their vehicles’ reliability and durability. 
“It is really interesting to note that there’s such a big difference in opinions of EV drivers versus non-EV drivers,” Adam said.
“Eighty-two percent of people that drive EVs are confident in the reliability and durability of EV; while just under half those who don’t currently drive one, cite the opposite.
“It demonstrates that those who drive EVs love them; with 78 percent of EV drivers appreciating potential for lower associated costs and less complicated servicing.
“On the other hand, cost-of-living concerns certainly make EVs more appealing to petrol and diesel drivers given the savings they offer on maintenance and fuel.
“However, less than one-fifth (14 percent) of Aussies are planning on switching to these types of vehicles for their next car purchase.
“In our research we found the key roadblocks are the perceived lack of proper charging infrastructure in local communities, and high upfront costs of EV/hybrid vehicles. Similarly, new technologies such as autonomous vehicles and AI-assistants being used within vehicles are creating concerns.
“The difference in opinions between petrol and diesel drivers and the actual experiences from EV drivers, highlights the importance of education and firsthand experience in shifting attitudes towards EVs.
“It is clear that the auto industry and government need to work together to build customer trust in what is an exciting future for mobility.
“The successful transition to sustainable vehicle options will need a clear and comprehensive public education initiative to clarify misconceptions, address current concerns and highlight the benefits of car tech innovation.
“The team at mycar is working to bridge the gap by providing reliable information, expert services, and promoting benefits of EV ownership; to help more drivers transition with confidence.
“We’re preparing our customers for the future of mobility by focusing on care beyond the car, equipping our team of auto-experts with the latest training and tools to service and repair both today’s vehicles, EVs, and connected cars of tomorrow.
“With an expanding mobile network, and a growing number of EV-ready stores we are dedicated to supporting Australians through this transition.”
When it comes to the evolving nature of vehicles, survey respondents were also asked for their thoughts on digital distractions, with the survey finding drivers are apprehensive about the integration of emerging technology such as autonomous driving (44 percent), in-car data collection/monitoring for personalised services (36 percent), biometric recognition (26 percent) and virtual assistants such as ChatGPT (24 percent) or Amazon Alexa (26 percent).  
Further, around nine in ten vehicle owners (88 percent) claimed to have witnessed other drivers being distracted by in-car technology, although only a quarter (24 percent) admitted to being distracted by notifications on their smartphones or by work-related calls, messages or emails on their phone.   

Government and industry need to work together 
• Over a quarter of Australian drivers (27 percent) want more government policies and initiatives in support of sustainable transportation.
• Nearly half (45 percent) of drivers believe a mobile EV servicing provider for future maintenance would be great.
• Over a third (36 percent) believe advancements in EV technology will lead to more efficient and convenient servicing options in the future.  
As cars and vehicles continue to evolve, meeting Australians’ changing needs will require tackling key challenges.
“The government needs to work in tandem with industry when considering new initiatives related to decarbonisation plans, fuel efficiency regulations and electric vehicle incentives,” Adam said.
“This will be crucial to educating consumers through addressing misconceptions and providing clear information about the benefits, risks and costs of vehicle transition.
“Continued investment is needed across the board to ensure a strategic and unified approach. This includes expanding the charging network, especially in rural and remote areas, which will be critical to alleviating concerns about range and accessibility and should be a priority.
“Industry also will need to continue to provide value and affordability while providing high-quality solutions as consumers navigate cost-of-living challenges.”
With 275-plus locations across Australia and over 1,600 team members, mycar Tyre and Auto is one of Australia’s largest names in the automotive industry. mycar provides a full range of automotive services including scheduled servicing, tyres, brakes, suspension, batteries and general mechanical repairs. 

For more information about mycar’s Mobility Index and to download the report, please visit  www.mycar.com.au/mycar-mobility-index-2024