When I started in the automotive field 40 years ago I did much of my own work and work for other people in the backyard. Cars were a lot simpler and easier to work on then.  Years ago things you could do in the backyard would include changing the oil and filter, light bulbs, fuses, belts.  Jacking up a car and putting jack stands under it was a very common thing to. This way you could do a brake job, change the exhaust system, shocks and even remove the transmission for repair or just to replace the clutch.  Removing engine cylinder heads to do a valve job was not that difficult.   If the engine had a rough idle a vacuum leak from a split hose was a common problem or you could blame the carburetor.  There were many ways to make adjustments to make your auto run smoother.  Doing a tune up by changing points and condenser, spark plugs and wires was a breeze. Today these repairs are all but impossible for the back yard mechanic. Even doing your own oil change is no longer worth the time and effort. For the most part I would suggest bringing your car to a qualified technician that you know and trust for most of your service work. Even for just an oil change.  It would cost approximately $19 to do it yourself ($12 oil, $5 filter, $2 waste oil disposal) plus having to crawl under the car and getting all dirty.  Many places have $23.50 oil change specials and a trained technician may see a pending problem you were unaware of.

      Today everything under the hood is computer related with thick wire harnesses and plug-in connectors going to various computer sensors.  On many car models one must take off the upper plenum or mixing chamber just to get to the spark plugs. There are no more adjustments for a smoother idle since all this is computer regulated.  Unless you have some automotive working knowledge this engine compartment is a no touch area.  

      Things to stay away from would be computer related sensors. These sensors work with milli volts and probing them with a test light can cause extensive damage to electrical and computer systems.  Stabbing a wire with a test light like years ago is no longer a method today. It just takes a slight amount of moisture and corrosion to stop a .5 voltage flow from a punctured wire.  

      With today’s manufacturer’s long warrantees many of your concerns may be free of charge.  Why risk damaging a component and your warrantee coverage. Only work on your car if you are sure of what you’re doing.  I’ve seen too many people trying to save money by doing their own repairs only to spend xxx times more dollars to repair their mistakes before the original problem can be properly diagnosed.

      So, the question was;   is the backyard mechanic a dying breed?  Well, in my opinion he is not dead yet but may need life support very soon.

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