Canadians are feeling the brunt of the rising cost of living. Everything from putting food on the table to keeping a roof over their heads has become more expensive.

Unfortunately, the cost of vehicle ownership is no exception. We surveyed Canadian vehicle owners and asked them to tell us their biggest roadblocks to feeling happy with vehicle ownership. These were their top three:

Rising costs, from maintenance to gas, are keeping owners up at night.

Not ready for the unexpected

Canadians are also saving less. The most recent Survey of Household Spending conducted by Statistics Canada found the average household saving rate had decreased to its lowest level since 2011. Your service customers are now less likely to be ready for unforeseen expenses, like a big fix on their vehicle.

On top of this, vehicles are staying on the road longer. This means increased investment in vehicle health, with older vehicles typically requiring more maintenance and repairs.

Be prepared, be aware

To your customers, there’s many unknowns with their finances, so what can you do to help ease your customers’ financial concerns?
The simple answer is preparation, which is easier said than done. Just like the idea of saving for a home or retirement, Canadians need a plan for their vehicle’s future. Your customers are depending on you to guide them with understanding their vehicle. They need to know what to expect as the odometer ticks away so they can start setting aside cash for upcoming maintenance. 

Understanding what’s being done

When we asked customers about satisfaction with their most recent service shop experience, their understanding of the work that might be needed in the future was among the bottom-scoring elements. Just 36% of car owners rated their understanding of future vehicle needs as excellent.

Backing up your recommendations for future maintenance with statistics and third-party information will go a long way in building trust. In fact, 62% of car owners said they would be confident if the work performed by their shop also came recommended by a third party.

The next time a customer comes in for maintenance, take the time to sit them down and have a serious conversation about their vehicle’s future. Provide details to them in a way that’s easy to understand – not all of them are vehicle experts like you are. It might not be an easy conversation, but in the long run, you will have a less worried, and much happier, customer.