A global survey showed that almost no one trusts Generation Z to maintain their car - even in a crisis situation.
Imagine you're in the middle of nowhere. It's hot, dry, and your water supplies are low. Suddenly, a gust of wind throws a sharp object onto the road. You try to avoid it, but your rear tire goes over it. There's that characteristic deflation sound, the tire pressure warning light flashes in panic, and you're already pulling into the shoulder. For car enthusiasts, this is just a minor inconvenience, as we have a spare tire installed in minutes. For less experienced drivers, it's a moment of terror. When the savior's headlights finally appear on the horizon, who do you most want to see behind the wheel? According to a survey by Autotrader, the answer is clear: "Anyone, except for a member of Generation Z."
A global survey of 3.000 drivers assessed which generations we trust the most when it comes to simple automotive tasks. The results are devastating for the youngest drivers. Globally, only 2% of drivers would trust Generation Z (young people between the ages of 14 and 29) to change a tire, in Great Britain, the USA, Portugal and Australia this share fell to zero.The only group that scored so poorly is the silent generation, whose oldest members will be 100 years old by 2028 and most of whom no longer drive. The majority of drivers over 65 today are those from the so-called "baby boomer" era, who received high ratings for credibility in the survey, but the public spotlight was still focused on younger generations.
Despite their bad reputation, the youngest drivers are still daring to pick up the tools. Between 30 and 45% of Gen Z respondents (depending on the country) are confident in their ability to carry out basic repairs, and many have already successfully carried them out. Of those who have undertaken repairs, the majority claim that they have not made the situation worse – this is the case for 88% of respondents in Italy, 86% in the UK and 85% in the Netherlands. While their bad reputation may be somewhat unfair, even confident young drivers have to admit that they still trust the knowledge of older generations when it comes to serious problems.
At the other end of the scale, Generation X stands firm, having earned their reputation as reliable mechanics the old-fashioned way – with decades of experience on the side of the road. However, experts warn that the way knowledge is transmitted is changing radically. Instead of learning from parents or mechanics, Generation Z relies on social media and artificial intelligence. In the UK, 86% of young people would use artificial intelligence to give them advice on car maintenance, while the global average is 65%. When it comes to actual breakdowns on the road, tradition still wins. Most drivers around the world call a friend or family member first (39%), followed by the motoring association (30%) and a professional mechanic (19%). Only a little over 6% immediately turn to the internet for help, and the same number would tackle the repairs themselves. The most stubborn and self-righteous are Americans, with 10% of them trying to solve the problem on their own, without even calling for help.
