Category: Automotive repair

Cox Automotive: Independent repairers gaining market share

Zainal Abidin, 26/11/2025

General repair shops are increasingly gaining market share compared to dealership shops in the US, according to Cox Automotive research.

In its report, “Under the Hood: Opportunities and Challenges in the Service Industry,” Cox Automotive says franchised dealerships are still the No. 1 preferred service provider, but have lost ground to service chains, such as quick lube locations and tire service centers.

During the second half of 2023, Cox Automotive surveyed 2,493 vehicle owners, including 182 electric vehicle (EV) owners, who had at least one vehicle service performed in the past year. Employees with decision-making authority over fixed operations at 525 franchised dealers were also interviewed for the research.

Dealership service accounted for 30% of all service visits in the US this year, down from 35% in 2021 (the last time the service study was released). General repair and service stations were a close second this year at 28%. The last 42% are made up of tire repair shops, body shops, and specialists.

With inflation still elevated in the US economy, automotive care and service costs have increased by 45% on average per service visit since 2021, according to Cox Automotive. That amount includes warranty costs, however, so the higher

…

Here’s why auto body shops are taking longer to repair cars

Zainal Abidin, 22/11/2025

Some customers are forced to wait as long as six months for auto technicians to complete body work jobs.

BANGOR, Maine — Auto body shops are extremely backed up, and according to shop owners, getting car parts is a pain.

Supply chain issues took a heavy toll on the car industry during the pandemic. JC Autobody’s general manager Kyle Leighton said.

For many, life has reset and returned to some form of normalcy. But auto technicians and mechanics are still struggling to make quick turnarounds for customers.

Some customers are forced to wait as long as six months for auto technicians to complete body work jobs. Leighton said some parts take longer to come in than others.

“Large body panels, doors, those kinds of things tend to take longer than the smaller, more common parts, Lamps, bumpers, those kinds of things we can normally get quicker,” Leighton said.

Most repairs at Leighton’s shop are taking a little longer than a week, and he says he has about 85 cars on his lot that need repairs.

General manager of Maine Collision Center Sean Sullivan said he has about 41 cars on his lot right now, and some repairs at his shop

…

Here’s why auto repairs are so expensive right now

Zainal Abidin, 14/11/2025

SAN ANTONIO – If you’ve had to take your car in for repairs lately, you’ve likely had to dole out more money than usual.

Car repairs are not a luxury; they’re a necessity, which is why spiking auto shop prices are hitting customers hard.

“The cost of doing business and the costs of parts and the cost of labor, it’s all increasing in today’s market,” said Miracle Body and Paint CEO Manuel Rubio.

Rubio first pointed out the general vehicle inventory issue that has been a problem for a while.

“You can go back to inventory of January 2020. There were 4 million cars in America available for sale. Today, there’s 1.9 million. That’s half,” he said. “Vehicles in general, have increased in the past four years, from 2020 to today, 20%. So what was running $35,000 back in 2020 is now costing $44,000 or $45,000.”

Rubio says supply chain issues lingering from the pandemic and current inflation have forced a spike in the price of parts, up an average of 15%.

“Parts have also increased anywhere from 10 to 20%. Headlamps are going up, tail lamps are going up, sheet metal is going up, doors and hoods. Really in

…

Straightaway Tire & Auto Acquires 2 Repair Shops in Minnesota

Zainal Abidin, 13/11/2025

Accurate Auto & Tire Service and Wayne’s Automotive have a combined experience of more than 60 years in the industry.

Straightaway Tire & Auto expanded its reach in Minnesota by acquiring Accurate Auto & Tire Service and Wayne’s Automotivefacilitated by O2 Investment Partnerswhich announced the move.

“We’re very excited to welcome the teams at Accurate Auto and Wayne’s to the Straightaway family,” said Jeff Matt, division president of Straightaway. “They have each earned loyal customer bases over their decades in operation, and we look forward to working together to uphold their reputations for great customer experience.”

The two well-established businesses have a combined experience of more than 60 years in the automotive repair industry.

Accurate Auto has been a cornerstone in the Maple Grove, MN, market for over 25 years, offering comprehensive auto repair services. Similarly, Wayne’s Automotive, with more than 35 years of operation, has been a key player in the Grand Rapids, MN, market.

“The addition of Accurate Auto and Wayne’s will further strengthen Straightaway’s already robust presence in Minnesota,” said Joe Vallee of O2 Investment Partners. “Furthermore, the transactions highlight our commitment to support Straightaway’s continued expansion by leveraging platform-wide resources to drive localized

…

‘Right to Repair’ approved by Maine voters on Question 4

Zainal Abidin, 22/08/202522/08/2025

The “yes” vote leveled the field so local and small-business mechanics could have access to data that would be restricted to dealerships.

MAINE, USA — Maine voters decided “yes” to Question 4, allowing local repair shops and mechanics access to the same data as dealerships.

Maine is the sixth state in the US to approve such a measure, likely indicating the start of a wave of support behind similar initiatives.

Question 4, a citizen initiative, read as follows on the Maine ballot:

Do you want to require vehicle manufacturers to standardize on-board diagnostic systems and provide remote access to those systems and mechanical data to owners and independent repair facilities?

A “yes” vote allows all mechanical information about a vehicle to be made available beyond dealerships regarding things like being able to diagnose and repair vehicles along with regular maintenance issues.

“By voting yes on Question 4, Mainers have now joined Massachusetts in a growing national movement to update automotive Right to Repair laws for the modern age of connected cars,” Tommy Hickey, director of the Maine Automotive Right to Repair Committee, said Tuesday in a statement. “Automakers are trying to monopolize the market on car and truck repairs but

…

Auto Repair Industry Could Benefit from Tax Relief Act

Zainal Abidin, 18/08/2025

The automotive repair industry is poised to receive a substantial boost from the proposed Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024.

This bipartisan initiative, supported by the Automotive Service Association (ASA), aims to alleviate financial strains faced by independent repair shops, grappling with rapid technological advancements and an evolving automotive landscape.

If passed, the legislation, as outlined in a press release from ASA, would address several pressing concerns. It offers a reward from the high costs associated with adopting new technologies such as EVs and ADAS. These adaptations have forced many independent repairers to incur significant debts to upgrade their facilities and equipment. The Tax Relief Act proposes to reclassify the interest paid on these loans as a deductible expense.

Furthermore, the act proposes a 100% bonus depreciation allowance for qualified property acquired between Dec. 31, 2022, and Jan. 1, 2026. This allowance would cover necessary investments like equipment and vehicles.

Additionally, it increases the maximum expense limit for qualifying property, adjusting for inflation in the coming years, providing immediate financial relief while also setting a precedent for sustainable growth in the industry.

A proposed change in the Child Tax Credit would directly impact employees of these

…

Managing Transformation in the Auto Repair Industry

Zainal Abidin, 12/08/2025

The auto-repair industry stands at the threshold of transformation, shaped by a convergence of factors: soaring insurance and manufacturing costs, shifting consumer dynamics and advancing automation and technology.

And with artificial intelligence, machine learning and cutting-edge innovations revolutionizing the landscape, industry leaders must understand these shifts and chart a new path forward.

Navigating the Cost Challenge

Auto insurance costs have skyrocketed, surging nearly 17%. While some of this surge can be attributed to inflation, there are actually multiple factors contributing to this sharp escalation in insurance premiums.

Modern vehicles, including rapidly growing numbers of electric cars, have added complexity and costliness to repairs. The post-pandemic resurgence in accidents due to increased road activity has further exacerbated premiums.

Simultaneously, manufacturing costs have surged due to labor shortages, supply-chain disruptions and regulatory changes. These mounting costs translate to pricier vehicle parts, extended repair durations and overall higher expenses. Inflated manufacturing expenses can significantly impact the insurance claims process, greatly affecting the affordability of insurance policies.

In response to these rising costs, leaders in the repair industry must prioritize streamlining the claims process, fostering cost reductions and improving customer satisfaction.

Adapting to Changing Consumer Behavior and Aging Vehicles

Escalating insurance and manufacturing costs

…

12 Most Common Lies You’re Being Told About Your Car Repair

Zainal Abidin, 08/08/2025

According to Cox Automotive (Kelley Blue Book’s parent company), the average car owner spends $548 to fix their car. Higher-end or luxury vehicles usually cost more than that.

Check Out: 6 Luxury Cars Mechanics Recommend
Learn More: 5 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money

Along with this, AAA found that the average cost of vehicular maintenance is $792 a year. This is assuming general wear and tear and doesn’t include things like new tires or unexpected expenses.

While keeping up with your car’s maintenance is important, chances are you’ll spend more than you should at the mechanic. Worse, you might be spending money on things you don’t even need.

GOBankingRates spoke with Chris Pyle, a trained auto mechanic and car expert at JustAnswer, about the top lies people hear about their car repairs. Here’s what he said.

Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief.

You Should Change Your Oil Based on Your Vehicle’s Age

The idea that you need to change your oil based on the age of your car is, in Pyle’s words, “hogwash.”

“It has been underground for thousands of years.

…

Lawmakers move to repeal parts of Maine’s new automotive right to repair law

Zainal Abidin, 06/08/2025

Lawmakers gave initial approval Tuesday to a bill that would undo part of Maine’s new automotive right to repair law that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in November.

The law, which went into effect last month, requires car manufacturers to share advanced repair data with car owners and independent mechanics through a standardized platform intended to reduce the cost of accessing the information needed to make repairs.

Jacob Sirois works on a Ford F150 at Jason’s Auto Service in Hollis this past fall. Sirois has worked at the shop for about a year and has been working on cars for almost 15 years. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

Members of the Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee, however, expressed concerns that the current law puts consumers’ privacy and safety at risk and voted out a bill that would amend it by scrapping the standardized platform.

Tuesday’s vote was 7-1, with five of 13 members absent. Those lawmakers will have two days to cast votes, but the outcome won’t change. The bill now goes to the full House and Senate for votes.

Some lawmakers and right to reform advocates, who believe that the standardized platform is the most impactful aspect of the

…

Video shows large explosion at Ohio auto shop that killed 3 people, injured 1

Zainal Abidin, 05/08/2025

An explosion on Tuesday at an auto repair shop in Ohio killed three people and injured a fourth, authorities said.

Security cameras caught the moment the blast happened at Jimbo’s Auto Repair in Hillsboro, about 50 miles east of Cincinnati. The explosion caused a large fire which took a 45-person fire crew around an hour to suppress, said Paint Creek Joint EMS & Fire District Chief David Manning.

“The fire extended into the building immediately adjacent to the auto shop and there was debris all over the road,” said Manning, who helped respond to the explosion.

Manning said he believes all four victims were employees at the auto repair shop. The woman who was injured was transported to the hospital and is in stable condition.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation and the identities of the victims have not yet been released, said Manning.

The blast was so strong that it was felt at the fire house five to six blocks away from the auto shop, said Manning. Neighbors of the auto shop told NBC affiliate WLWT of Cincinnati that it shook their homes.

“When I heard about the explosion, I told my wife, she said it rocked

…