Many drivers may feel that they don't have the time or money to address vehicle repairs immediately, but be aware that ignoring some repairs can get you pulled over and even ticketed, says the Car Care Council.

"Ignoring certain vehicle repairs may seem to save money in the short term but can lead to extra costs, such as fines or 'fix-​it' tickets, if these problems are not taken care of when they arise," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "In some jurisdictions, car owners may even lose their license for certain violations. A few dollars spent on simple vehicle repairs can help avoid trouble with the law."

While a vehicle is in operation, traffic laws require that certain equipment is properly installed and functioning correctly, including brakes, headlights, turn signals, mirrors, windshields and safety belts, to name a few.

Because of the cost of taking a vehicle in for repairs, some consumers may opt to making repairs themselves. According to AudienceSCAN, 7.1% of American adults are Do-​it-​yourselfers — Auto. Nearly 21% have annual household incomes of between $25,000 and $49,999 and they're 24% more likely than other adults to live in rural areas. They're also 143% more likely than other adults to drive sports cars and 283% more likely to be in the market for automotive aftermarket parts, such as headlights and floor mats. About 8% would also like to purchase high-​end wheels for their vehicle and 32.4% plan to purchase power tools within the next year.

The Car Care Council recommends that drivers address these repairs right away as they present public safety concerns that can earn drivers a traffic ticket on top of a repair bill.

• Non-​functioning turn signals and headlights or taillights that are cracked or broken. Most states require vehicles to have functioning turn signals as well as two functioning headlights and taillights. Taillights must illuminate red; if a taillight is cracked, it can give off a white light, which is also typically a traffic violation.
• Cracked windshield. If a windshield is cracked, discolored or tinted in a way that obstructs vision, drivers may get ticketed and fined. In some states, vehicle modifications, such as tinted windows, are prohibited.
• License plates are unreadable. If the license plate light is out or if the plate is otherwise unreadable, drivers may be pulled over. In some states this includes clear or tinted plastic license plate covers.
• Loud exhaust system. A defective exhaust system that is too loud, either because it has been modified or because it needs repairs, can be cause for a ticket. What is considered loud depends on the state.

How can auto parts and tools retailers advertise their wares to Do-​it-​yourselfers — Auto? Digital is a great place to start. According to AudienceScan, 53.7% of this audience took action after receiving an email ad last year and 50.1% reacted to ads they saw on their mobile smartphone apps and/​or received via text message. They're also 36% more likely than other adults to click on text link ads on a website. Nearly 18% also find advertisements on social media useful to them. Don't ignore traditional advertising methods though. Last year, 68.9% of this consumer group took action after seeing a TV commercial and 61.6% reacted to ads/​coupons they received in the mail.

AudienceSCAN data is available for your applications and dashboards through the SalesFuel API. Media companies and agencies can access AudienceSCAN data through the AudienceSCAN Reports in AdMall.