Battery replacement still a top DIY task

Traditional car batteries remain a staple of vehicle maintenance in Canada, accounting for more than $1 billion in aftermarket sales in 2024, according to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.

Its Light Vehicle Study surveyed more than 4,500 vehicle owners, highlighting buying habits, preferred outlets and the balance between do-it-yourself and do-it-for-me sales.

It found that more than one in four Canadian vehicle owners purchase a battery each year, with DIY accounting for 40.9 per cent of sales and DIFM for 59.1 per cent.

Canadian Tire dominated DIY purchases with a 46.2 per cent market share, followed by Costco at 15.9 per cent and auto parts stores at 13.2 per cent. For DIFM, independent repair shops led at 23.5 per cent, slightly ahead of Canadian Tire at 22.6 per cent, with new car dealers at 14.5 per cent.

“While BEV batteries have been getting all the attention in recent years, it is traditional car batteries that are a staple of the vehicle maintenance business,” said Andrew King, managing partner at DAC. “The battery replacement market in Canada accounted for more than $1.02 billion of aftermarket sales in 2024 and is one of the few automotive products areas where the DIY presence remains significant.”

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