Increasingly sophisticated vehicles are forcing repair shops to spend more on computers, software and calibration equipment, and mechanics say the costs are passed on to consumers.
Ralph Zeisler, an auto mechanic in Brooklyn, New York, said the rapid pace of technological change means he has to invest more time and money to perform even basic repairs, and he has to pass those costs on to consumers.
“We update all our computers every year,” said Zeisler, who owns Emile’s All Tire in the Gravesend area. “We have multiple computers for domestic cars, Asian cars, and European cars, but it’s very expensive. Every year they make changes and it’s getting more and more expensive. And it’s becoming very difficult.”
Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive engineering, said many mechanics across the country are facing the same problem.
“Repairs on these vehicles are now very sophisticated and require a laptop in most cases,” he said.
In some cases, it may even be a laptop exclusive to that car brand, he added. The shop also requires subscriptions to software and data services to perform car repairs, which can be purchased for terms ranging from a few hours to a year. These recurring costs can be difficult for smaller stores to absorb.
“It’s becoming increasingly difficult financially for independent shops to service all makes and models,” Brannon said.
Zeisler said the company is passing on at least some of those costs to consumers.
“Consumers ultimately benefit because the financial costs are also offset,” he said.
rising costs
Overall, repair costs rose about 60% from January 2019 to August 2026, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve. This is almost double the 32% rise in overall inflation over the same period.
The data doesn’t show exactly why prices are rising. But research shows that advances in technology are driving up costs, at least in some cases.
A 2023 AAA study found that adjusting advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) can increase collision repair costs by 37.6%.
For example, replacing a cracked windshield previously required you to order and install a new windshield.
The camera behind the windshield now needs to be adjusted, said Ariela Zeisler, Ralph’s daughter who works at the store. The camera behind the windshield is one of at least several that your vehicle has, depending on the model. These cameras and sensors typically support ADAS and active safety features that automakers are adding.
Each calibration machine costs about $28,000, according to an invoice the store provided to CNBC. The required computer that comes with it is another $12,000. The total cost of the array can be up to $90,000. Additionally, a target board designed to calibrate a specific camera is attached to the machine. Ariela Zeisler says these boards can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars each for more premium brands.
“I can’t afford to have my camera fail without adjusting my windshield,” she said. “The car could brake unexpectedly and cause an accident from behind. We don’t want to be responsible for that.”
“Right to Repair”
As vehicles and other equipment become more technologically advanced, the “right to repair” movement is gaining momentum.
Broadly speaking, the idea is that consumers and small businesses should have access to the tools, parts, and information they need to repair, among other things, their electronic devices, farm equipment, and automobiles. Lawmakers at the state and federal level have proposed legislation aimed at supporting these goals, with varying degrees of success.
Since 2014, industry groups representing both automakers and auto mechanics have had an agreement aimed at giving repair shops access to the same data, parts and tools as major dealers.
AAA’s Brannon said, “In general, information is available to dealers and independent repair shops that need to repair a vehicle,” but there may be exceptions. There is a task force where shops can report issues and concerns to automakers. Brannon said a large part of the claims revolve around the cost and complexity of accessing the data.
Zeisler said his main problem is usually the cost and hassle of accessing information and upgrading computers to keep them up to date.
Some of the more expensive repairs are virtually as old as the vehicles themselves that use the fuel. As an example, during an oil change, Cheisler said he had to use a computer just to reset the vehicle’s oil change indicator light. An oil change on a luxury car typically costs $400, but access to the software costs an additional $75.
“You can’t just go and reset,” he said. “To reset a light, I have to pay for the information to download it to my computer or upload it to my customer’s computer. If I don’t, it never resets and it costs me more money. As a result, I pay more money. The consumer pays more money. This is unfair. But this is the industry practice.”
