New research from mycar Tyre & 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 today, 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, 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 is 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%) of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) drivers say AI helps them feel better informed when speaking with technicians or service providers, while 47% of Australian vehicle owners 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%) 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%) 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%), rotating tyres (14%), replacing fuel filters (14%), and 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.

Sylvain Borré, Managing Director, mycar, comments: “This year’s Mobility Index finds Australians are increasingly turning to AI to better understand what’s happening with their cars – and it’s helping them feel more informed when it comes to maintenance and servicing. While AI is a powerful tool in improving transparency and understanding, it’s 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.”

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%) say 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%) are driving less overall or switching to alternative transport options, while over one in four (27%) are using public transport more frequently. Walking and cycling are also becoming more common, with nearly one in four (23%) opting for more active modes of transport instead of driving, and one in seven (14%) wanting to increase remote work to reduce travel costs.

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.

Seven in ten Australians (70%) say their vehicle purchasing decisions have been impacted by rising vehicle costs, interest rates, and cost-of-living pressures.

In response, some drivers (15%) 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%) now more likely to purchase a second-hand vehicle, and a similar proportion (20%) delaying their next vehicle purchase indefinitely.

Stuart Charity, CEO, Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, comments: “Fuel shocks and the ongoing cost-of-living pressures are having a profound impact on Australian drivers. As more drivers hold on to their vehicles for longer or delay purchasing decisions, we’re 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%) of Australians plan 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%) 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%) 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.

Adele Coswello, Chief Customer Officer, mycar, adds: “This year’s Mobility Index shows a nation adapting to economic realities while embracing new technologies. 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.”

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