(December 2, 2016) ORLANDO, Fla.— According to a new AAA survey, two out of three U.S. drivers do not trust auto repair shops in general citing overcharges, recommendations for unnecessary services and poor past experiences for their lack of confidence.

However, the survey also reveals that the majority (64 percent) of U.S. drivers have singled out an auto repair shop that they do trust, suggesting that consumers have prioritized finding a reliable mechanic in an industry with imperfect reputation. AAA urges all drivers to identify a reputable repair facility well before one is needed.

“To minimize the stress associated with vehicle repair and maintenance, it is critical that drivers find an honest repair shop that they can trust with their vehicle,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “AAA found that one-third of U.S. drivers — 75 million motorists in total — have yet to find a trusted repair facility, leaving them vulnerable when trouble strikes.”

With today’s cars collecting a variety of data about the health of the vehicle, drivers need a trusted repair facility more than ever. “Connected cars” with built-in diagnostic capabilities can alert drivers to vehicle trouble and help repair shops quickly and accurately address issues. Unsurprisingly, given concerns around data security, AAA found that the majority of U.S. drivers want the ability to direct their vehicle’s data to the repair shop of their choice — the trusted facility with whom they have built a relationship.



Additional findings from the survey include:

    The top reasons that U.S. drivers do not trust repair shops are:
        Recommending unnecessary services (76 percent)
        Overcharging for services (73 percent)
        Negative past experiences (63 percent)
        Concerns that the work will not be done correctly (49 percent)
    Older drivers are more likely to trust auto repair shops than younger drivers.
        Baby Boomers are twice as likely than younger generations to fully trust auto repair facilities in general, with one-in-five reporting they “totally trust” the industry.
        Baby Boomers (76 percent) are also more likely to have a chosen auto repair shop that they trust compared to Millennials (55 percent) and Gen-Xers (56 percent).