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Most German Drivers Fear Repair Shops, Survey Finds, With Anxiety Highest Among Gen Z

Financial mistrust drives avoidance behavior that can endanger safety.

Overview

  • AutoScout24’s representative poll reports 73% feel uneasy about workshop visits, rising to 91% among under-30s.
  • The top concerns are excessive costs (42%) and unnecessary repairs (36%), with rising hourly rates cited by GDV at about €202 for mechanics and €220 for paintwork in 2024.
  • Reported health effects include physical symptoms for 8% and panic attacks for 4% overall, climbing to 7% in Gen Z.
  • Many delay or bypass service: 26% do small fixes themselves, 23% change tires, and 21% postpone visits, leading to 9% breakdowns and 5% accidents; 8% admit winter driving on summer tires.
  • Anxiety is sharper for women and eases with age, with 45% of women fearing overpricing versus 38% of men and only 62% of 50–65-year-olds calling visits stressful.