As the digital age progresses, many drivers are now turning to platforms such as TikTok and Instagram when searching for fixes for their vehicles.
However, these platforms have given rise to a number of videos that show cheap, ‘instant’ fixes. These car hacks are posted by those purporting to be experts, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to carry out repairs.
But new research from motor trade insurance specialists ChoiceQuote warns that these hacks could cause serious damage to vehicles, leaving drivers with repair bills that far outweigh the cost of a professional service.
The #CarTok hashtag on TikTok alone features over 6.7 million videos, many of these car hacks, providing an easy search for owners. Yet analysing the ‘advice’ in 10 viral videos under this hashtag, ChoiceQuote found that drivers could end up facing £7,050 in professional repair bills.
Popular car hacks
The car hacks video groups outlined below have been watched thousands of times. However, the advice in them is flawed, and could cause further damage to a vehicle, meaning a garage will have to pick up the pieces when it comes to repair.
| The TikTok “hack” | Purpose of the hack | The potential damage | Estimated repair cost |
| “Master” battery reset | Disconnect cables to clear engine codes | Fried ECU and electrical unit damage | £1,000 – £2,500 |
| Olive oil on dashboard | Restores new car shine to dashboard | UV damage and cracked plastics | £600 – £1,000 |
| Boiling water on dents | Pops out dents | Paint cracking and permanent metal stretching | £400 – £800 |
| WD-40 on brake rotors | Stops squeaking and prevents rust | Total friction loss and brake failure | £300 – £600 |
| Hot glue stick dent puller | Removes door dings | Paint and primer stripped from metal | £300 – £500 |
| Clear nail polish on glass | To stop windscreen cracks spreading | Traps dirt or moisture leading to MOT failure | £200 – £600 |
| Toothpaste on paint | Buffs out scratches and clears fog | Abrasive swirl marks and cloudy headlights | £200 – £400 |
| Dish soap exterior wash | Cheaper alternative to car shampoo | Strips protective wax, causing rust | £200 |
| Laundry pods on seats | Remove stains from car upholstery | Strips glossy finish and damages upholstery | £150 – £300 |
| Shaving foam on seats | Stain remover on fabric | Deep mould growth and internal seat rot | £150 |
| Total potential bill | £7,050 |
The most expensive mistake identified are the master battery reset car hacks. Creators suggest disconnecting battery cables to clear engine codes for free. However, in modern cars, disconnecting the battery in this way can damage the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or key fob coding, potentially requiring a system replacement costing between £1,000 and £2,500.
Using olive oil on a car’s dashboard comes in as the second most expensive of TikTok car hacks. While creators suggest using olive oil to restore ‘new car shine’ to dashboards, it can act as a magnifying glass for UV rays, causing plastic dashboards to warp, crack or melt. This can cost up to £1,000 to repair.
One of the most viral #CarTok hacks and the third most expensive to repair involves pouring boiling water over a dent and using a plunger to pop it out. However, the extreme thermal shock of the boiling water can cause the paint to crack instantly and permanently stretch the metal, meaning that it cannot be restored to its original shape. This could result in a professional panel beat and full respray in the region of £800.
“TikTok has become a primary search engine for car advice, but there is a massive disconnect between viral car hacks and mechanical reality,” commented Chris Galloway, Head of Trading at insurance broker ChoiceQuote. “While it may be appealing to try and fix issues yourself with seemingly simple tips, the harsh reality could be a repair bill totalling thousands of pounds.”
