Should I use AI for car advice?
With Aussies increasingly using AI for day-to-day tasks, we weigh up the pros and cons of using it for vehicle adviceNew research has revealed that Australian drivers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for car advice, raising concerns about over-reliance on the technology.
A survey of more than 2000 Australians found that nearly half (47%) are using AI tools to support servicing decisions, and one in three (33%) are trusting the advice as much as, or even more than, a professional technician.
Adele Coswello, chief customer officer at mycar, told carsales younger generations are leading the charge.
“64 per cent of Gen Z and 63 per cent of Millennials [are] finding AI helpful when speaking to a technician, compared to just 22 per cent of Baby Boomers,” she said.
While this is the first year the mycar Mobility Index has tracked AI adoption at this scale, Coswello said the rapid uptake demonstrates how quickly technology is reshaping vehicle ownership.
What’s behind this trend?
Behind the accelerated adoption of AI for car advice is the fact that the tool is becoming normalised in everyday life.
“It's natural consumers would apply it to car care too,” said Coswello.
Secondly, she said the growing complexity of modern vehicles is prompting drivers to seek more information before committing to repairs or maintenance.
“AI provides a quick and accessible way to better understand potential issues, helping drivers feel more informed and confident when discussing their vehicle with technicians.”
The benefits
On the positive side, AI is helping demystify car maintenance for Australian drivers.
“Nearly half of vehicle owners (47%) are using AI tools or chatbots to support servicing decisions. Specifically, people are using AI to compare service providers (18%) and prepare questions before visiting a mechanic (14%),” she said.
“Essentially, AI is acting as a trusted advisor that helps bridge the gap between technical complexity and consumer understanding.”
AI is also helping drivers learn more about vehicle servicing (12%) and becoming more proactive about maintenance (11%).
Beyond servicing, about one in five Australians said AI makes them feel more comfortable checking and topping up fluids themselves.
This growing confidence is beginning to translate into behaviour change, which to some degree can be beneficial.
“We're seeing tangible shifts in how Australians approach vehicle maintenance.
“One in five now feel more comfortable replacing windshield wipers, and another one in five feel more comfortable changing tyres due to AI guidance.”
The risks
While AI is helping to lift confidence and improve understanding by handling more basic tasks, such as replacing wiper blades, one in ten Australians are using AI to help with more complex maintenance themselves – including replacing air filters (17%), replacing fuel filters (14%), and even replacing brake pads (12%).
“While AI can play an important role in making drivers feel more informed and in control, the rise of AI-driven DIY car maintenance raises important safety questions,” said Coswello.
“We're seeing more drivers attempt DIY maintenance with AI support, which carries risk as most vehicle maintenance tasks require proper tools, expertise, and diagnostic capabilities.”
But perhaps most concerning in the data is that one in three Australians say they trust AI recommendations as much as or more than advice from a professional technician, indicating a growing risk of overreliance.
“AI considers servicing questions in isolation based on user prompts; it cannot assess vehicles holistically like a trained professional,” she said.
The best approach
Like most things in life, Coswello said the best approach is ‘everything in moderation.’
“Best practice is to use AI to build knowledge and prepare questions before visiting a mechanic, but for anything mechanical – brakes, filters, suspension, diagnostics – consult a qualified technician.
“If you do choose to use AI, make sure to verify advice with multiple sources and professional opinions – and be especially cautious with safety-critical systems.”
In other words, the best approach is to use AI as a tool to better understand what’s going on under the bonnet – but to turn to professional support for complex issues.
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