Friday, August 22, 2008
Car owners admit servicing ignorance
Poor consumer knowledge could boost demand for workshops with ATA accredited technicians
Most car owners do not know when their next service is due while only a small percentage carry out the most basic maintenance, according to a new survey.
The findings showed that 52 per cent of private car owners did not know when their next service was due; while just nine per cent admitted they didn't carry out any basic maintenance or safety checks such as monitoring tyre pressures and oil levels between service intervals.
The research, carried out on behalf of the Institute of the Motor Industry's Automotive Technician Accreditation programme, also revealed confusion amongst motorists about the increasing number of standard fit items. When asked about various acronyms, nearly a third of all respondents said they had no idea what EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), VVT (Variable Valve Timing), TCS (Traction Control System) actually mean.
The advanced technology now included on most cars has also made DIY servicing a thing of the past, with 45 per cent of respondents saying that, unlike their parents' generation, they know next to nothing about maintaining their car.
“Motorists need to get more service savvy now that cars have become so complex,” said Sarah Sillars, chief executive of the IMI.
“This means making sure cars are well looked after at the right time. The ATA scheme recognises technicians who have put their skills on the line voluntarily to show customers they are professionals who you can rely on.
Garages with ATA accredited technicians could be in a position to benefit from increased work following the July launch of the IMI's You're OK with the ATA campaign which aims to raise consumer awareness of the accreditation scheme.
The research was carried out in July amongst a nationally representative sample of 1,338 car owners.
DATED: 22.08.08
FEED: MT
Most car owners do not know when their next service is due while only a small percentage carry out the most basic maintenance, according to a new survey.
The findings showed that 52 per cent of private car owners did not know when their next service was due; while just nine per cent admitted they didn't carry out any basic maintenance or safety checks such as monitoring tyre pressures and oil levels between service intervals.
The research, carried out on behalf of the Institute of the Motor Industry's Automotive Technician Accreditation programme, also revealed confusion amongst motorists about the increasing number of standard fit items. When asked about various acronyms, nearly a third of all respondents said they had no idea what EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), VVT (Variable Valve Timing), TCS (Traction Control System) actually mean.
The advanced technology now included on most cars has also made DIY servicing a thing of the past, with 45 per cent of respondents saying that, unlike their parents' generation, they know next to nothing about maintaining their car.
“Motorists need to get more service savvy now that cars have become so complex,” said Sarah Sillars, chief executive of the IMI.
“This means making sure cars are well looked after at the right time. The ATA scheme recognises technicians who have put their skills on the line voluntarily to show customers they are professionals who you can rely on.
Garages with ATA accredited technicians could be in a position to benefit from increased work following the July launch of the IMI's You're OK with the ATA campaign which aims to raise consumer awareness of the accreditation scheme.
The research was carried out in July amongst a nationally representative sample of 1,338 car owners.
DATED: 22.08.08
FEED: MT
