The largest survey on mobility trends in the Nordics

Mobility Barometer 2025

Strong support for car repair – but what does the future hold?

A large majority want to be able to repair their cars to maximize their lifespan. There is also strong support for ensuring that electric cars can be repaired just as easily as traditional vehicles. But the question is – how easy will that be in the future?

Taking care of and repairing what already exists is, in most cases, the most economical and environmentally sustainable approach. The same applies to cars, where it often takes many years before the environmental balance evens out after production.

A clear majority believe it is important to be able to repair their cars to extend their lifespan: 85 percent agree, while only 12 percent disagree.

Finns value repairs the most, followed by Swedes, Norwegians, and Danes.

There is a similar, strong level of support for maintaining and repairing electric cars. Nearly eight in ten say it is important that battery-powered cars last as long as possible through repairs, while only one in ten disagree.

Misconceptions about electric cars

At the same time, some may wonder: do electric cars even need repairs? They just have a battery under the hood that can be replaced when it wears out, right?

This misunderstanding is widespread, although it is declining as electric cars become more common. Electric vehicles have several vital components that are exposed to wear and need to be replaced or repaired – often at considerable cost.

To begin with, electric cars are heavier and have higher torque, which means physical parts wear out faster and must be repaired or replaced – for example, tires, brakes, and steering components.

Car data – the key to future repairs

At the same time, the technology in electric cars is more complex, and when problems occur, repairs can be costly. Above all, it is essential to make the correct diagnosis – and the key lies in the car’s technical data. Without access to this data, repairs become impossible.

The question of data access is currently under discussion within the EU, where opinions differ on who owns the data and who should have the right to use it. One thing is clear: car owners want repairing tomorrow’s cars to be just as straightforward as it is today – regardless of powertrain.

Most people think repairing their car is key to a longer lifespan

A majority want electric cars to be as easy to repair and service as traditional cars

MEKO’s view on the development

MEKO’s mission is to serve all car owners, all models, and all budgets. Our belief in diversity also means that every car owner should be free to choose where to service their vehicle on an open and competitive market. That makes the issue of who controls car data – the key to analyzing and repairing advanced vehicles – a critical question for consumers’ wallets. Our position is simple and clear: the car owner should have the right to their vehicle’s data. He or she should be free to choose an independent workshop as well—one that can do the job just as well, even though it isn’t tied to the car manufacturer.