mycar cautions that overreliance on this new technology is raising safety concerns

New research from mycar Tyre and Auto reveals Australians are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for car advice – using it to help understand vehicle issues, prepare for servicing conversations with technicians, and make more informed maintenance decisions.
Released in June, the third annual mycar Mobility Index reveals a nation at a mobility crossroads – where technology is boosting confidence behind the wheel, while soaring fuel prices are fundamentally reshaping how Australians drive, maintain, and think about their cars.
Based on a national survey of 2,025 vehicle owners, mycar explains the research explores how Australians are navigating the evolving mobility landscape – from AI-powered decision-making to shifting driving habits, and a growing interest in hybrid and electric vehicles.

AI reshaping how Australians manage their cars
Artificial intelligence is increasingly playing a role in how Australians approach vehicle ownership – helping to simplify complex information and support more-informed conversations with technicians.
Half (49 percent) of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) drivers who responded to the survey stated AI helps them feel better informed when speaking with technicians or service providers, while 47 percent of Australian vehicle owners noted they trust AI tools or chatbots to support their vehicle servicing decisions.
While AI is helping to lift confidence and improve understanding, the data also points to a growing risk of overreliance – with one in three (33 percent) Australians saying they trust AI recommendations as much as, or more than, advice from a professional technician.
This growing confidence is beginning to translate into behaviour change.
One in five (21 percent) say, because of AI, they are now more comfortable replacing windshield wipers or changing tyres. This extends to more complex maintenance tasks, with around one in ten Australians saying AI has made them feel comfortable undertaking certain repairs themselves – including replacing air filters
(17 percent), rotating tyres (14 percent), replacing fuel filters (14 percent), and replacing brake pads (12 percent).
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.
“This year’s Mobility Index finds Australians are increasingly turning to AI to better understand what’s happening with their cars – and it is helping them feel more informed when it comes to maintenance and servicing,” mycar Managing Director, Sylvain Borré, said.
“While AI is a powerful tool in improving transparency and understanding, it is not a replacement for expert care. AI tools consider vehicle servicing questions in isolation – based on the prompt provided to them – and can’t take a holistic view and comprehensive assessment of the vehicle.
“At mycar, we see AI as a way to support better conversations and help drivers make smarter decisions about their vehicles, but it’s important to not place all your trust on AI tools.
“As AI adoption grows in the automotive space, service providers have a responsibility to help customers understand its role and limitations. We want Australians to feel empowered and informed, but that comes from better conversations with experts, not from bypassing professional care.”

Rising fuel prices and cost pressures are changing how Australians drive
While AI is reshaping how Australians engage with their vehicles, fuel shocks and economic pressures are changing how often they use them.
More than two in five Australians (43 percent) who responded to the survey said they are cutting back on discretionary trips, such as weekend drives and getaways, due to rising fuel prices and broader cost pressures.
A quarter (26 percent) are driving less overall or switching to alternative transport options, while over one in four (27 percent) are using public transport more frequently.
Walking and cycling are also becoming more common, with nearly one in four (23 percent) opting for more active modes of transport instead of driving, and one in seven (14 percent) wanting to increase remote work to reduce travel costs.
mycar says these findings point to a broader behavioural shift – where everyday mobility decisions are increasingly shaped by affordability.

Cost pressures drive a rethink in vehicle ownership
As an economic divide widens in Australia, rising living costs are creating a stark divide in vehicle ownership behaviour, says mycar.
Seven in ten Australians (70 percent) said their vehicle purchasing decisions have been impacted by rising vehicle costs, interest rates, and cost-of-living pressures.
In response, some drivers (15 percent) stated they are holding on to their current vehicles for longer and prioritising essential maintenance over non-urgent repairs.
Others are reconsidering ownership altogether, with one in five (21 percent) now more likely to purchase a second-hand vehicle, and a similar proportion (20 percent) delaying their next vehicle purchase indefinitely.
“Fuel shocks and the ongoing cost-of-living pressures are having a profound impact on Australian drivers,” Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Charity, said.
“As more drivers hold on to their vehicles for longer or delay purchasing decisions, we are seeing increased demand placed on the servicing and repair sector to keep older vehicles safe, compliant, and roadworthy for extended lifecycles.
“That will make continued investment in skills, training and repair capability critical as the average age of vehicles on the road continues to rise.”

Fuel costs accelerate interest in hybrid and electric vehicles
As Australians navigate cost-of-living pressures, rising fuel prices are playing a key role in shifting future vehicle preferences and accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
Close to half (46 percent) of respondents planned to next purchase an electric vehicle, or a self-charging or plug-in hybrid – a notable increase compared to last year. Likewise, more than a quarter (26 percent) say rising fuel prices are making them more likely to consider EVs, and many are viewing hybrids as a practical transition step.
Despite this, nearly one in four (23 percent) say the upfront costs of EVs and hybrids are too high to make the switch due to rising vehicle costs, higher interest rates, and the overall cost of living. This highlights a transition that is gaining momentum but still shaped by economic realities.
“This year’s Mobility Index shows a nation adapting to economic realities while embracing new technologies,” mycar Chief Customer Officer, Adele Coswello, said.
“Rising fuel prices are pushing more Australians to consider an EV or hybrid. That’s exactly what mycar is preparing for: training our technicians, investing in EV-ready stores, offering state of health battery testing for peace of mind, and ensuring drivers have access to expert care whether they’re driving petrol, diesel, hybrid or fully electric.
“The increase in appetite for hybrids and EVs is notable, but the speed of the transition is still shaped by factors such as upfront costs and infrastructure.
“To support drivers in making the switch, the industry needs to demystify EV ownership and servicing. At mycar, we’re training technicians, investing in EV-ready stores, and offering services like battery state of health testing to give drivers genuine peace of mind.
“Australian drivers are navigating unprecedented change, and they’re doing it with remarkable pragmatism. They’re conscious of costs, curious about new technology, and increasingly motivated to make more sustainable choices.
“Our role is to help them balance these factors – with clear, practical support that makes decisions about mobility feel manageable rather than overwhelming.”
“What we’re seeing is a generational shift in how Australians approach vehicle ownership,” Sylvain added.
“More Australians than ever say their vehicle purchasing decisions have been impacted by rising vehicle costs, interest rates, and cost-of-living pressures.
“In response, drivers are becoming more considered in how they use and maintain their vehicles. This is placing greater importance on trusted advice and expert care to help Australians keep their vehicles safe, reliable and roadworthy over time.”

For more information about mycar’s Mobility Index and to download the report, visit www.mycar.com.au/mycar-mobility-index-2026.pdf