1/3 of Vehicle Owners Are Choosing to Delay Servicing Their Vehicle
According to a recent study by AutoPacific, 34% of vehicle owners are choosing to delay or completely forgo their vehicle service during the COVID-19 pandemic, while another 28% will only take their vehicle in for necessary maintenance.
Source: AutoPacific COVID-19 survey (n=1,119)
According to the survey of more than 1,100 vehicle owners, fielded April 9-20, 2020, the need for social distancing is the primary reason for choosing to delay or forgo servicing their vehicle. 68% of respondents said, “I need to social distance; I don’t want to spend time in a waiting room with other owners.” 41% don’t want to be exposed to dealer personnel, and 41% don’t want their vehicle exposed to germs by mechanics, technicians and drivers. Personal finances, such as job loss or reduced income, account for 11% of service delays.
The affects of COVID-19 are being felt in every part of the automotive industry, from manufacturing to sales to service. “The majority of Americans are simply not driving much right now - no road trips, no commuting miles - so people can likely delay their service without causing damage to the vehicle, making service non-essential for the time being” explains AutoPacific president George Peterson.