In other states, there are certain types of work that you can legally perform on your own car, even if you are not a licensed mechanic. In general, these tasks are limited to basic maintenance and repairs that do not involve any major disassembly or modification of the vehicle.
Some examples of minor automotive repairs that can legally be performed by unlicensed individuals include:
- Changing the oil
- Replacing the air filter
- Replacing the spark plugs
- Installing new wiper blades
- Checking and adjusting the tire pressure
- Changing a flat tire
- Replacing a dead battery
However, there are also certain tasks that are considered to be too complex for unlicensed individuals to perform safely.
Some examples of these tasks include:
- Repairing or replacing any part of the engine
- Repairing or replacing any part of the transmission
- Repairing or replacing any part of the suspension
- Repairing or replacing any part of the electrical system
- Repairing or replacing any part of the emissions control system
If you are unsure whether or not you are legally permitted to perform a certain type of repair on your own car, you should consult with your state's automotive repair regulations. Additionally, if you are uncomfortable performing any work on your car, regardless of the level of complexity, you should always take it to a licensed mechanic for service.
