I’ve been going back and forth on this lately. A couple years ago I started doing basic DIY repairs oil changes, brake pads, even tried replacing a starter once. At first it felt like I was saving a lot compared to shop prices, but over time I’ve bought tools, messed up a few installs, and spent entire weekends troubleshooting



Now I’m wondering has anyone here actually calculated long-term savings from DIY repairs?



From my experience, it seems worth it if:



You stick to routine maintenance

You already have the tools

You enjoy learning (and don’t mind mistakes)

But for more complex issues, I sometimes feel a reliable mechanic would’ve been cheaper (and less stressful).

Also, I’ve been browsing options in Japanese used car sales recently, and noticed some models are way easier (and cheaper) to maintain yourself. Found a helpful breakdown on a site I came across while researching happy to share if anyone’s interested.

Curious to hear your experiences:

Do you think DIY really pays off long-term, or is it more about the satisfaction than savings?







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