With the rising costs of repair, a study has shown that more drivers are turning to TikTok for advice and tutorials on car repairs.
According to Auto Trader, #CarTok has become a booming niche, with over 876 million videos around tips and hacks, interior trends and more for your vehicle.
SEE MORE: Car news
With a growing number of #CarTok videos, the UK’s largest automotive marketplace, Auto Trader, has analysed over 100 TikTok videos to determine whether the advice given should be followed by drivers or should be met with caution.
The #CarTok niches that should be met with caution
81 per cent of car cleaning videos could lead to more damage to your vehicle
According to Auto Trader, after analysing a sample of car cleaning related videos on TikTok, Auto Trader found that 81 per cent contained tips which should not be followed as they could damage your vehicle.
Many of the ‘hack’ videos used household items like toothpaste or coconut oil to remove marks, while others advised drivers to use items such as a mop to clean the exterior of their car.
While drivers might find using common household objects to clean their cars appealing, Auto Trader advises people to always use specialist products to avoid potential damage from harsh chemicals or unsuitable objects.
90 per cent of car repair videos should be met with caution
According to Auto Trader, TikTok searches for “car repairs” reach a staggering 365,000 searches each month, as an increasing number of drivers are turning to TikTok for help with their vehicles. Many of the car repair videos analysed were from mechanics showing how to professionally fix damages such as car scratches or how to perform a car service.
While these videos offer practical advice, these hacks shouldn’t be followed if you are inexperienced as it could lead to more damage in the long run.
The #CarTok niches with the most helpful advice
72 per cent of car maintenance tips are helpful to drivers
Many drivers may not understand the preventative maintenance checks they can do regularly to spot any issues ahead of time, with drivers increasingly turning to TikTok for advice on car maintenance.
Auto Trader’s research found that 72 per cent of car maintenance videos are helpful to drivers. Many of these TikTok videos were created by professionals offering accurate, detailed and useful advice. Some tips included how to check your shock absorbers, prepping your vehicle for colder weather conditions and how to check your oil and tyre pressure.
68 per cent of driving tips videos are helpful, especially for learner drivers
TikTok is known for its short form content, allowing complex information to be condensed into more manageable chunks. Many of the videos around driving tips are targeted towards learner drivers. 68 per cent of these videos offer practical advice for learner drivers and are often created by driving instructors. They provide practical tips ahead of your driving test or how to know when you’re ready to take your test.
Auto Trader’s editorial director, Erin Baker outlined how TikTok is becoming one of the go-to search engines, offering inspiration and education content from experienced creators
“But drivers should be wary as many videos on TikTok are intended to shock audiences and to gain traction and engagement,” Baker says.
“We found that a staggering 59 per cent of the videos offer advice that is not recommended to drivers and could potentially leave your vehicle with more damage if followed.”