For many people, cars are much more than a means of getting from A to B. Often, motorists will add their own personal touches to their vehicles giving them a unique and personal feel particular to their owner.

From tinted windows to spoilers and flashy rims, there are many modifications you can make to your car. Some of these require the expertise of a professional mechanic, though there is a growing trend for DIY car mods and maintenance which sees drivers taking their vehicle’s condition and specs into their own hands.

However, drivers must remember to inform their insurer of any modifications they make to their car.

GoShorty have crunched the figures and published the results.

DIY trends

Here are the most searched for types of car mods and maintenance of the past year.

 

1. Tinted windows – Google Searches: 40,500

A classic way of making your car stand out while also adding privacy to your vehicle. They can be a striking design choice, with a whole range of colours to choose from.

 2. Car Wrapping – Google Searches: 40,500           

Car wrapping refers to the application of vinyl wraps to your vehicle’s exterior. This allows owners to customise their car’s appearance without the need for a costly new paint job. Available in an infinite number of styles, and can be changed as frequently as you like.

3. Steering Wheel Covers – Google Searches: 8,410

Steering wheel covers are fun and low-cost. As a driver, your steering wheel is your main point of contact, but also a highly visible interior design influence. As well as changing the appearance, you can choose from many different materials to make the steering wheel feel comfortable and secure in your hands.

The cars

Which cars appear to top the DIY list? Again, using search data from the last twelve months, the following brands came out on top.

1. BMW – DIY Searches: 120,840

Popular for their high performance and reliability, as well as their distinctive and imposing looks, BMWs are a popular choice for keen car enthusiasts, which could explain why they receive so much attention for modifications and DIY alterations.

2. Tesla – DIY Searches: 110,750

Coming in second is Tesla.  They have become a status symbol for people who want to flaunt both their wealth and their green credentials at the same time.

3. Jeep – DIY Searches: 62,530

Jeep takes third place. These large 4x4s have military history links, and are regarded as both highly durable and very versatile. It makes them ideal for modifications and DIY maintenance.

 

The influencers

Social media is now a hugely important factor in the creation and spread of popular trends and ideas. This is no different when it comes to cars.  TikTok stars have the power to influence thousands of people at the touch of a button and are undoubtedly at least partly responsible for changing attitudes towards cars and DIY modifications.

 

1. Daniel McDonald – Followers: 12.5 Million

Daniel McDonald has become an internet sensation with his unique style of content in which he asks the drivers of supercars what they do for a living. His channel features an endless stream of beautiful cars and offers an interesting insight into how the owners actually earn enough money to afford their luxury vehicles.

2. Alexandra Darvall – Followers: 9.7 Million

Alexandra Darvall is the second most popular car TikTok influencer. The Australian petrol head’s channel is filled with everything car related from supercars to deep clean videos and even monster trucks. This varied and interesting content has earned her a loyal following that keeps coming back for more.

3. Dima Gordey – Followers: 5.1 Million

Dima Gordey’s channel is a mix of lifestyle, comedy and car content, giving him a much broader appeal than some of the more specialised car channels. Don’t be fooled though, there is still a large amount of car-related content to be found here, and his videos can be very entertaining.

 

TikTok car mod faves

So which car DIY tags on TikTok have been viewed the most times? The following reveals the types of car DIY projects that TikTok users are most interested in, setting trends for wider communities of car enthusiasts.

 

Read the full report here.