As with everything related to inflation, much of the increase in the cost of auto repair comes down to supply and demand. That and the residual problems of the pandemic, both with parts and with labor. In recent months, news and stories shared on social media about astronomical repair bills for cars and electric trucks have captured the attention of car enthusiasts. The shortage resulted in a lower inventory of new and used cars, and consumers kept their current cars longer, according to S&P Global Mobility analysts.
Automakers say they are aware of rising repair costs and are working to make cars easier to repair, especially electric vehicles, which many executives hope to replace most or all gasoline models in the coming decades. However, a more comprehensive analysis of the data on claims and repairs shows that the repair costs of electric vehicles are not significantly higher than those of gasoline cars of similar age and price, and that they are sometimes lower. Industry experts have focused especially on the cost of repairing electric cars and trucks, which are not manufactured like gasoline-powered cars and have different parts. Moore said that more expensive, rare and higher-performance cars tend to cause fewer accidents, but are more serious, in part because they are more likely to be driven by people who accelerate and take other risks.
Battery-powered cars tend to require more expensive parts, the company said, and repairing them takes longer and may require the work of specialized mechanics. New cars and trucks are packed with sensors and technology that protect and pamper drivers and passengers.
