Social media has made it easier to perform basic vehicle maintenance, but experts are raising concerns over the oversimplification of complex car repairs in viral videos.
If you’ve spent time on TikTok, chances are you’ve come across DIY ‘hack’ videos offering quick fixes for a variety of problems. While some of these can be useful, especially for things like cooking, when it comes to car repairs, a new study suggests these videos may be doing more harm than good.
According to Auto Trader UK, which analyzed 130 TikTok videos under the #CarTok hashtag, nearly 60% contained advice that should be approached with caution.
“TikTok is becoming one of the go-to search engines, offering inspiration and educational content from experienced creators,” said Erin Baker, Editorial Director at Auto Trader.
“But drivers should be wary, as many TikTok videos are designed to shock audiences and gain engagement rather than provide accurate advice.”
Their findings revealed that 81% of car cleaning videos could lead to vehicle damage, while 90% of repair videos should not be attempted by inexperienced mechanics.
Oversimplified Repairs Could Lead to Costly Mistakes
Stuart Charity, CEO of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), warned that the biggest issue with these videos is how they make complex repairs appear simple.
“You see influencers making brake replacements, timing belt swaps, or even ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) calibrations look easy, and that’s dangerous,” Charity said.
“A small mistake in these repairs can have massive safety implications.”
Another concern is the spread of misinformation.
“Not everyone making these videos is a qualified mechanic, and we’ve seen bad advice—like using the wrong fluids, skipping critical steps, or promoting unsafe shortcuts,” he said.
Some DIY mistakes don’t just affect the person doing the repair, they can put other road users at risk too.
“What these videos don’t tell you is what happens when it goes wrong. If you install the wrong part, damage something else in the process, or fail to calibrate a critical system, you could be looking at a much bigger repair bill.”
The Risk of Incomplete Information
Jeff Smit, Technical Editor and Director of The Automotive Technician (TAT), says the real danger comes when people attempt technical repairs without the right knowledge.
“We see it all the time, customers bringing cars in after trying a DIY fix, only to realize they’ve made things worse,” Smit said.
“Modern vehicles are equipped with advanced electronic systems that require proper diagnostics and calibration. It’s not like the old days where everything was mechanical, and you could just swap out a part.”
Charity agrees, highlighting the gaps in social media videos that skip over crucial steps like software updates, sensor recalibrations, or electronic resets.
“They think they’ve saved money. But in reality, they’ve just created a bigger problem down the track.”
Why Every Car Repair Isn’t the Same
Another major issue is the variability between vehicle models.
“There are so many variations between different makes and models, even within the same brand,” Smit said.
“A video showing a gearbox repair on a Subaru Liberty might not apply to someone with a different model. One small difference in the design could lead to a costly mistake.”
One common issue mechanics see is people draining gearbox fluid incorrectly because they followed a video without realizing their car has a different setup.
When is Social Media a Good Car Repair Tool?
Despite the risks, social media can be a useful resource for car owners, if used correctly.
“Social media can be great for educating drivers about preventative maintenance,” Charity said.
“Things like checking tyre pressure, understanding warning lights, or knowing when it’s time to book a service, that’s where well-made videos from qualified mechanics can really help.”
Smit agrees but warns that not everything on the internet is accurate.
“Consumers need to be careful about what they trust. If you’re using the internet to understand your car better, that’s fine, but don’t jump into a repair without fully understanding the risks.”
At the end of the day, saving a few bucks on a DIY repair isn’t worth it if it ends up costing you more in the long run or worse, putting you and others in danger.
If you are deadest on repairing your own vehicle we recommend only using YouTube as the person posting and their content is easily verifiable especially via the comments.
