this post was submitted on 07 Dec 2025
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United States | News & Politics
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I've found outside of lights, 90% of shit that most people were going to do at home is exactly the same.
It really depends on the brand and what you're trying to do. For passenger auto I'd say Mercedes is the worst offender. From personal experience Subaru has been great about self maintenance and repair. The most complicated thing in regular maintenance is spark plugs, and that's because of the boxer engine. A friend's Mercedes, on the other hand, has to have the oil changed at the dealer, because the oil fill is inaccessible without special tools.
On Ford Transit full sized vans, the rear brakes require special tools and are very involved because of the rear axel design, but the headlights and signals are not LED and still easily replaced. Chevy Express cargo vans effectively haven't changed mechanically since 1995. Some Ford engines have such delicate spark plug inserts that all mechanics have helicoil rebuild kits on hand at all times. If you're not aware and try to change your plugs yourself, you might very well have to pay for a tow to the nearest mechanic to repair what should've been a simple plug change.
I'm not saying your personal experience is inaccurate, but perhaps limited on scope. Or not. I don't know
Don't get me started on John Deere tho