MEDIA RELEASE
A quarter of Aucklanders & Wellingtonians Ignore Engine Warning Lights
Fifty per cent of Aucklanders are turning to DIY car service jobs to save money
Auckland 26 August, 2014- Despite an increasingly positive economic outlook, almost half of respondents(45%) in a Canstar Blue survey examining
car servicing, have admitted to getting their car serviced less regularly in order to save money.
The majority of Aucklanders (57%) only take their car to be serviced when a specific issue needs to be resolved rather
than as a preventative measure based on the suggested kilometres between services.
Canstar New Zealand General Manager, Derek Bonnar says that Aucklanders are most likely to pick up a spanner and become
DIY mechanics.
“50% are performing basic elements of a car service, such as changing the oil, filters or air cleaners themselves to
save some cash. Men are the most likely to participate in DIY car servicing (46%) while women have a greater tendency to
leave it in the hands of the professionals.”
Middle agers like to shop around for the best deal, with more than two thirds of Generation X checking out their options
when it comes to car servicing, compared to just over half of Generation Ys.
The incidence of Aucklanders and Wellingtonians ignoring their engine warning lights is on the rise from 2013, with one
in four not paying attention to alerts.
The survey has also shown that 37% of Aucklanders and 31% of Wellingtonians never check the oil level in their car, says
Bonnar.
“It only takes a minute to check oil and engine fluid levels. In the long run this could save car owners money on
servicing.
“It is a concern alongside the finding that a third of Aucklanders and Wellingtonians believe that modern cars don’t
need regular servicing.”
Taking out the top spot for the second year in a row, Oil Changers received 5 star ratings across all eight categories
in the survey.
1. Value for money
2. Time taken
3. Cost of any parts required
4. Warranty of repairs
5. Effectiveness of repairs
6. Customer service
7. Advice received
8. Overall satisfaction with car servicing provider
It’s two wins in a row for Oil Changers who have recorded a perfect five star score across the board, says Bonnar.
“Customers are most satisfied when their service provider delivers the right mix of advice, service and value for money.
Oil Changers has got the right recipe.”
Car servicing by region
Auckland: Aucklanders are most likely to only get their car fixed if it fails a warrant (38%), most likely to take their car to
get serviced when a specific issue needs to be resolved rather than based on the suggested kilometres between services
(57%), most likely to have performed some elements of a basic car service at home to save money (50%), most likely to
want to do their own basic car service but don’t know how (53%), most likely to shop around for car services (57%), most
likely to never check the oil level in their car (37%) and the equal most likely(with Wellington) to ignore their engine
warning lights (25%).
Waikato: People from the Waikato are least likely to get their car serviced less regularly to save money (35%), least likely to
take their car to be serviced when a specific issue needs to be resolved rather than based on the suggested kilometres
between services (40%), least likely to have performed some elements of a basic car service at home to save money (33%),
equal least likely (with Canterbury) to believe that modern cars don’t need regular servicing (19%) and equal least
likely (with Canterbury) to shop around for car services (46%).
Wellington: Wellingtonians are most likely to get their cars serviced less regularly to save money (48%), most likely to think that
modern cars don’t need regular servicing (35%) and equal most likely (with Auckland) to have ignored engine warning
lights (25%).
Canterbury: Cantabrians are the least likely to only get their car fixed if it fails a warrant (20%), the equal least likely (with
Waikato) to not think that modern cars need regular servicing (19%), least likely to want to do their own basic car
service but don’t know how (34%), least likely to never check the oil level in their car (8%) and least likely to ignore
their engine warning lights (7%).
About the survey
We partner with respected professional market research agency Colmar Brunton Australia, who undertake research on our
behalf using Your Source.
The outcomes reported here are from the 337 people who have had their car serviced in the last 2 years by a car
servicing chain (e.g. Midas, UItratune, etc.) . The survey has a margin of error of 5.1%
Age Groups:
Gen Y: 18-29
Gen X: 30-44
Baby Boomers: 45+
*To view the full results of the Canstar Blue survey go to: www.canstarblue.co.nz
About Canstar Blue:
Canstar Blue is a division of financial research and ratings company, CANSTAR, which has been operating in New Zealand for nearly a decade.
Canstar Blue uses market research to determine customer satisfaction ratings across a range of products and services in
New Zealand to help consumers make the best purchasing decisions for their needs. Canstar Blue conducts similar research
in Australia. New ratings are added regularly. Results are freely available to consumers who are encouraged to use the
ratings as a guide to product excellence. The results can be seen at www.canstarblue.co.nz.
About CANSTAR:
Founded in 1992, CANSTAR Pty Limited is Australia and New Zealand's premier researcher of retail finance information for
over 350 institutions such as banks, building societies, credit unions, finance companies, brokers, mortgage
originators, life companies and finance related internet portals. CANSTAR customers use the extensive database for
competitor analysis as well as a means of disseminating their product range. This information is also distributed to
print and electronic media for publication and to agents, accountants, brokers and internet portals for use in advising
their clients.
ENDS