Higher-Tech Cars Drive Up Repair Costs for Mechanics and Consumers

Higher-Tech Cars Drive Up Repair Costs for Mechanics and Consumers

As automotive technology evolves, cars are getting more and more expensive to repair.

That’s because repair shops are being forced to spend more on software and calibration equipment, expenses that are being passed onto drivers, CNBC reported Saturday (Oct. 3).

“The repairs of these vehicles are so sophisticated now and almost always require a laptop,” Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering at AAA, told CNBC. “It has become increasingly financially difficult for independent shops to be able to service all makes and models.”

The report cited Federal Reserve data showing a 60% increase in repair costs between January 2019 to August 2026, a figure that is almost double the 32% increase in overall inflation during the same period.

While the data does not say why prices have gone up, research indicates technological progress is partially to blame. For example, replacing a cracked windshield used to just mean ordering and installing new glass.

Now, the camera behind the windshield needs to be calibrated, said Brooklyn mechanic Ariella Czeisler, with a single calibration machine costing about $28,000. That’s to s...