A new global survey commissioned by Autotrader UK reveals that not a single American respondent would choose a Gen Z driver to change a tire during a roadside emergency.
The study, which polled over 3,000 drivers across 15 countries, found that Gen X is overwhelmingly trusted for the task, with 67 percent of US respondents selecting drivers aged 46 to 61 as their top choice.
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Gen Z scored zero percent in the US, and similar results were seen in the UK, Portugal, and Australia.
Globally, Gen Z received just 2 percent support, while Gen X dominated with 57 percent.
Gen Z's Self-Confidence vs. Public Perception
Despite the public's lack of trust, many Gen Z drivers believe they can handle the job.
In the UK, 43 percent of younger drivers say they can change a tire, while 29 percent of American Gen Z respondents feel capable.
The gap between self-confidence and public perception is stark.
The survey also indicates that younger drivers are learning car maintenance through different channels.
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Gen Z is the generation most likely to seek repair advice on social media, YouTube, TikTok, and AI tools.
In the US, however, Millennials lead in using social media for automotive guidance, while Gen X tops AI usage.
Interestingly, Gen Z's actual repair success rate is high.
Among those who have attempted repairs, over 80 percent in most countries said they did not make the problem worse.
South Africa is an exception, where nearly half of Gen Z respondents admitted to worsening a problem while attempting a repair.
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The findings suggest that Gen Z's reputation may be worse than reality, but convincing other generations remains a challenge.
