1. Car Care Survey Report
April 1, 2013
Conducted by:

2. The Car is Another Member of the Family
1 6 %
of those who own/lease a
car name their cars.
3 0 %
of people aged 18-34 who own
/lease a car name their cars.

3. Trust Is A Big Issue For Repair Shops
6 6 %
of consumers who own/lease a car
think they have been ripped off by a
repair shop.
It’s even worse for folks under 34!
7 6 %
of consumers who own/lease a car
aged 18-34 think they have been
ripped off.
3 8 % 1 4 %
of consumers who own/lease a car of men and 10% of women who own/lease
worry that they cannot trust the a car delayed a trip the repair shop because
mechanic. they couldn’t find a shop they trust.

4. Repair Shops Have A Nasty Reputation
For Their Treatment Of Women
7 7 %
of car owners/leasers think repair shops
perform unnecessary repairs more for
women than for men.
7 1 %
who own/lease a car think repair
shops are condescending to women.
6 6 %
of who own/lease a car think repair shops
charge women more for repairs than men.

5. Anxiety Runs High Around Car Repairs,
Really High
4 1 %
of consumers who own/lease a car
would rather do their taxes by hand
than get their car repaired.
7 2 %
of those who own/lease a car
said “how much repairs will cost”
makes them anxious.

6. The Gender Gap
4 8 %
of woman who own/lease a car said
"being taken advantage of" makes them
anxious.
VERSUS
3 8 %
of men who own/lease a car admit to
feeling anxious about "being taken
advantage of”.

7. Consumers Put Off Repairs As Long As Possible
7 5 %
of consumers who own/lease a car have
delayed an auto repair for some reason.
4 4 %
of consumers delayed a repair
because they didn’t have money.
3 7 %
of consumers felt their repair did
not need immediate attention.

8. Consumers Put Off Repairs As Long As Possible
Only if a car is smoking or spewing,
9 3 %
of those who own/lease a car will
bring the car in within two weeks.
But, scheduled maintenance
is not a priority.
Similarly, if the check engine light
2 5 % comes on
of those who own/lease a car wait
more than two weeks to make an
1 1 %
appointment. of those who own/lease a car
won’t take their car to be repaired.

9. We Just Want A Fair Price!
The number one thing those who
own/lease a car want when
choosing a repair shop is a fair
price.
8 2 %
of consumers said this was
an important consideration.

10. Why Is It So Hard To Find A Good Shop?
2 in 3 of those who own/lease a car
6 6 %
turn to friends and family for a referral.
4 0 %
of women who own/lease a car ask their
spouse/significant other versus 20% of men.
ONLY…
1 6 %
of consumers turn to free online review sites but
33% of those who own/lease a car say they do
not trust online reviews of repair shops.

11. Get His Motor Running
6 1 %
of those who own/lease a car
think it’s sexy when their
spouse/partner/significant other
is knowledgeable about cars
(56% of men, 66% of women).

12. About RepairPal
RepairPal is the definitive source for trusted auto maintenance and repair and sets the
bar for quality work, fair prices, and customer satisfaction through the RepairPal Top
Shop network. RepairPal is the only company that independently and rigorously
screens repair shops for quality, skill, parts, price and a proven track record of customer
satisfaction – well beyond traditional consumer reviews. RepairPal further empowers
consumers with expert advice from certified mechanics and fair price estimates that
are also licensed by NAPA®, Consumer Reports®, and AOL Autos®. This network-wide
commitment to quality, unbiased information and integrity brings unprecedented
transparency to the industry and ensures that consumers get excellent work and save
money. RepairPal is located in San Francisco, California with Top Shop locations in more
than 35 states. Find more at www.repairpal.com and or download the app from the
iPhone App Store® or Google Play.
For more information on RepairPal or this survey, please contact:
Carol Carrubba
repairpal@bordersgratehouse.com
415.963.4174 ext. 3

13. About the survey
Abbreviated Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on
behalf of RepairPal from March 5-7, 2013 among 2,128 adults ages 18 and older. This
online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of
theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology,
including weighting variables, please contact carol@bordersgratehouse.com.
About Harris Interactive
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