Brake pads, tire changes and oil changes rank at the top of the list of unperformed maintenance work in the U.S., according to the Auto Care Association’s latest Factbook.
The annual report on the health of the aftermarket pegs the value of delayed auto maintenance at $24.9 billion.
In a survey of 100,000 American households, the reports authors found Americans know repairs need to be performed on their car but have chosen to delay the work.
“We found that a surprising amount of households are knowingly delaying vehicle maintenance and that the primary reasons are economic, convenience and a perception that delaying the maintenance isn’t quite effecting vehicle performance. Ultimately, servicing your vehicle at the recommended service intervals can keep money in your pocket by avoiding more unintentional wear, a catastrophic failure or worse case, an accident,” said Bill Thompson, CEO, IMR, Inc.
The Auto Care Association agreed that vehicles are not repaired on a routine schedule and offer a Car Care Guide.
“Not all repairs are made equal, and not all of them set off a check engine light. That’s why even if you’re not checking your owner’s manual, it’s important to get your car serviced on a regular basis,” said Behzad Rassuli, senior vice president, strategic development, Auto Care Association.
For more information, including the Car Care Guide go to www.carcare.org.