How many people does it take to change a car lightbulb? Brits are useless at basic car maintenance like changing a wheel or fuse
Less than half of UK motorists are happy to carry out basic car checks costing hundreds of pounds a year in garage bills
BRITS are shunning basic car maintenance like changing wheels and lightbulbs as they don't feel confident enough.
Motorists feel cars are too complicated to bother attempting to fix themselves and rely on mechanics and garages instead.
The fear of car DIY is costing drivers hundreds of pounds a year, too, as lightbulb replacement can cost up to £70 at some dealers.
Just 48 per cent of UK drivers would feel comfortable changing a tyre and 43 per cent would change a fuse, according to the study by ClickMechanic.
Similarly, only 42 per cent would be happy to change a wheel.
Oil changes and brake pads were also avoided with a third of motorists saying they wouldn't touch anything.
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There's a clear gender divide in DIY motoring with 73 per cent of men admitting they'd feel confident changing a wheel compared with 19 per cent of women.
Older drivers are also much more likely to change parts themselves than the younger generation.
Andrew Jervis, co-founder of , said: "Over the years, the number of UK drivers who are comfortable conducting any of these repairs has severely dropped due to the developments in car engineering.
"This has also occurred as a result of the convenience and reliability which mechanics and garages can now offer, which gives motorists the option of finding a qualified professional to conduct the work instead.
"Despite this being the case, it’s nice to see that there are still a number of keen motorists who have the know-how to make the changes themselves."
What Brits are happy to change on their cars
Wheels: 48% (of Brits said they felt confident)
Fuse: 43%
Headlight bulb: 42%
Oil: 34%
Brake pads: 16%
None: 35%
Source: ClickMechanic
