Should You Really Take Car Advice From TikTok?

Want a quick way to defog your headlights or prevent your windshield from icing? You’re not alone. The social media platform TikTok gets around 365,000 searches for “car repairs” every month, and #CarTok is a booming niche with more than 876 million videos covering tips, hacks and trends.

While knowledgeable creators produce some of those videos, “drivers should be wary, as many videos on TikTok are intended to shock audiences and gain traction and engagement,” says Erin Baker, Editorial Director at Auto Trader.

Recently, Auto Trader analyzed 130 TikTok videos on topics including cleaning, driving tips, maintenance, modifications, repairs and leasing and found that not only do many of them not work, but they can actually cause damage to your car. Here’s what to know about which TikTok car hacks shouldn’t be trusted and which actually provide helpful advice.

Can TikTok Car Hacks Be Trusted?

Whether or not a Tiktok car hack can be trusted depends. Auto Trader determined that 59 percent of car-related videos were misleading, plus 90% of car repair videos “should not be attempted by inexperienced mechanics.”

Some of those singled out in the report include using household items to remove scratches, using a mop to clean a car’s exterior and attaching a toilet bush to a drill to remove dirt.

The study did find that some #CarTok videos did offer sound, practical advice, however. For example, those with tips for new drivers who are seeking advice to pass their test. “#CarTok’s use of short-form content allows complex information to be condensed into more manageable chunks,” Baker says. “In addition, mechanics provided useful tips, including how to check your oil and tire tread using a coin.”

More specifically, the study found that 68% of driving tip videos were helpful, as many of them were created by driving instructors. They also found that 72% of car maintenance tips were sound. Most of those were created by professionals as well, and they gave drivers advice on car maintenance such as how to check shock absorbers, prep a vehicle for cold weather and check oil and tire pressure, says Baker.

Can TikTok Car Hacks Damage My Car?

Yes, tikTok hacks can damage your car. The study determined that 81% of TikTok car cleaning hacks could cause damage to a vehicle, especially if used by those without specialist experience.

“The damaging hacks included using abrasive household products such as toothpaste to clean headlights and mirrors, which could lead to more scratches and damage,” says Baker. “Some car repair videos showed drivers how to remove a car dent using hot glue.”

Why Do People Post Misleading Videos On TikTok?

Usually, people post misleading videos on TikTok to make money through shocking or surprising content. That’s because TikTok creators are paid based on their audience engagement, which includes the number of views, likes, followers, comments and shares. So, to grow their personal brand, some use “engagement farming,” which is a strategy designed to manipulate algorithms to boost their metrics. Some of these can include keyphrase words, controversial posts with extreme opinions and recycling of popular content. Some are also paid to push certain products, whether they are worthy or not.

This differs from authentic engagement, where people create honest videos based on their expertise that are aimed at being genuinely helpful rather than just being popular. For example, it’s the difference between a chef showing how to pickle ginger and onions vs. an influencer demonstrating “countertop tacos” by spreading cheese sauce directly on your table.

Tips To Avoid Misleading TikTok Car Hacks

To sort out whether a TikTok car hack is truthful, ask yourself these questions:

• Is the person giving the advice a professional in the auto industry or just an influencer looking for a reaction?
• Is the video making grandiose claims which sound too good to be true?
• Is the host pushing a particular product?
• Is your gut instinct making you suspicious about it?
• Is the host using absolute descriptors like “the best,” “the greatest,” and “the only”?
• Is the host looking to create fear or anger?

Also, with any automotive advice, double-check it on other forums, like YouTube and through internet searches. Even pro mechanics get it wrong sometimes, so it’s always wise to watch a number of videos and then go with the answer that is the most sensible and common throughout.

Auto Trader also advises using specialist cleaning products to avoid damaging your car, especially for those with leased vehicles. “While these tips might offer quick, cost-effective solutions, they can lead to further damage that your lease agreement won’t cover,” the report states.

When in doubt, consult your vehicle’s owner manual and warranty terms and/or have a professional do the job for you.

About the Expert

• Erin Baker is Editorial Director at Auto Trader, and has been a specialist in the automotive industry for 25 years.

Sources

• Auto Trader: “Almost two thirds of car TikToks are misleading, Auto Trader reveals” (2025)

The post Should You Really Take Car Advice From TikTok? appeared first on Family Handyman.

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