Car repair costs seem like they’re spiraling out of control. While it could seem tempting to blame inflation and higher energy prices, there’s more to it than just these factors. Labor and power costs do have a big impact on the field for sure, but much of the sticker shock drivers are feeling comes from technology-related issues.
Modern motor vehicles rely on multiple complex electronics systems, which raise the price of maintaining them significantly. Semiconductors have been in somewhat short supply the last few years, which has further increased costs. At the same time, carmakers have been adding increasingly sophisticated onboard technology features to many of their most popular models. Drivers of these cars may be surprised when they take their ride in to get looked over, since they may end up with much more of a bill than they could have otherwise imagined.
New safety features are another reason costs have skyrocketed in the last decade or so. Many drivers appreciate lane assist services and automatic break application, but both of these need beefy general adversarial networks to function. Computer equipment powerful enough to manage these networks tends to be costly and difficult to work with. In fact, much of the perceived increases in automotive industry labor costs have actually stemmed from the need for more skilled specialists.
Diagnostics Require Specialized Tools and Skills
Simply running diagnostics on many of these devices is a complex chore that requires a knowledge of both the way that automobiles function as well as a background in at least some computer-related topics. Motorists are encouraged to go to a highly skilled mechanic shop so that they don’t run the risk of having someone damage any of the sensitive gear attached to their car. Considering that even the ignition timer in most modern vehicles has been computerized, there’s a great deal of concern that someone who hasn’t worked with one before could potentially blow it out.
Technicians also need specialized equipment to diagnose and repair components that can’t simply get swapped out the way conventional internal combustion equipment could. All of these tools add additional costs, and people have to undergo special training so they know how to use them right. Motorists often get stuck paying at least some of the difference, even when they pay their insurance bills, though things could theoretically be much worse.
Semiconductor prices dramatically jumped several times in the last few years, and demand from the personal computer industry has left them high. Everything from cryptocurrency miners to gamers are putting additional pressure on chip manufacturers to ship more parts. That’s making it harder for them to keep pace and therefore adding even more to the bottom line. Insurance providers have been concerned that the cost of any individual accident will be worse for them, thus premiums have increased on average, but it’s quite possible that these firms have agreed to eat more of the price tag than most drivers realize.
Barring action on the part of regulators, it looks like some maintenance costs might continue to climb for the foreseeable future.