WE MAY have witnessed an element of complacency or even laziness in recent years in British drivers tackling home maintenance but it now seems that the rising cost of servicing, repairs and fuel is cutting deep into budgets and reversing the trend.
One of the best indicators over what is happening out there is data from from on-line shopping agencies and one of the biggest, Twenga, reports a significant surge in motorists buying car parts to fit themselves in an effort to keep their motoring bills from going through the roof.
Twenga has stated that it has experienced a 100 per cent increase in visits for exhaust pipes and an 83 per cent surge in demand for headlights.
In fact, five types of car spare parts are among the top 100 most searched-for items, revealing that many more Brits are attempting to repair cars themselves.
Even complicated items such as gearboxes have seen a 63 per cent surge as have engine sensors and wing mirrors.
It certainly is heartening to witness this enthusiasm in the world of DIY mechanics but a note of caution has to be sounded.
Modern cars are complex and can be downright impossible to repair if you have not got the training.
All too often a repair manual and a bag full of tools and enthusiasm are just not enough.
I have always applauded people who tackle simple home car maintenance but when it comes to the more serious stuff there is only one rule - if you are not sure, leave it to the experts or face paying for your mistakes.