Are Millennials More Likely than Boomers to Fix Their Own Cars?

• Many Gen Z and millennial car owners are willing to repair their own car to save a few bucks, according to a study done by consulting agency Censuswide.

• By comparison, around 82% of baby boomers surveyed said they would rather take their car to a professional mechanic.

• Smaller, less complex repair jobs like replacing shattered wing mirrors, battery issues, and interior improvements were the most popular jobs for home mechanics across generations.

Legacy news media outlets will tell you that Generation Z and millennials aren't interested in driving. And there is data supporting that point, with only 25% of 16-year-olds getting their driver's license in 2020 as compared to 40% in 1997, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Here at Autoweek, we understand that our millennial and Gen Z staffers may be outliers among their peers, but we are a bit skeptical of these claims.

Anecdotal evidence tells us that plenty of young car enthusiasts exist, but we admit our circles are filled by enthusiasts with the same passion. However, a telling set of data proves young people are at least more willing to repair cars themselves as compared to generations prior.

In a study conducted by Censuswide, researchers found over 25% of millennials and around 23% of Gen Z drivers are willing to repair their own cars. By comparison, around 18% of baby boomers surveyed said they were willing to do it themselves. Keep in mind, these statistics are coming from the United Kingdom, which isn't as car friendly as Germany or even America.