The results of a recent survey by RAC Report on Motoring are clear: the cost of living is rising and European drivers are cutting back on car maintenance, which is experiencing a surge in the price of spare parts, as well as postponing the purchase of a new car. As a result, 12% of drivers have decided to forego minor vehicle repairs in order to save money and 9% have postponed repair work until a later date. The percentages rise in the younger target group: 37% of those under 24 will keep small car problems, 16% will not even take care of more important breakdowns.
For those who continue to take care of their own car, a survey conducted by DealerRater on a sample of more than 16,000 European drivers showed that 3 out of 4 of them prefer to turn to dealers for maintenance and repairs, considering them more reliable than third-party operators. In fact, 75% of the sample chose the dealer, a percentage that rises to 81% in the case of luxury cars.
Efficient after-sales service has always been an asset for car dealers. Today, more than ever, it is particularly important; a car is in fact the most frequently used vehicle and economic stability remains uncertain. Circumstances therefore call for accurate and prompt maintenance, which the dealer can offer by acting as a reliable partner for the driver.
In this regard, Viasat Dealer Portal is the innovative platform dedicated to dealers that, thanks to its functions, allows them to anticipate requests for intervention and maintenance, enabling them to effectively manage after-sales and increase the return to the workshop. This is a very important aspect, bearing in mind that in Italy, in contrast to the rest of Europe, after two years from the purchase of a new car, the percentage of those who continue to turn to dealership workshops for maintenance and servicing drops. The analysis emerges from a study by the Autopromotec Observatory, which showed that drivers’ loyalty to official service networks is very high immediately after the purchase of a new car, but decreases over time, with the gradual shift to independent repairers.
