Amid sustained inflation, more high-tech vehicles in the market and tariff-induced uncertainty, aftermarket repair costs are steadily climbing.

Vehicle repair costs are up 43% since 2019 to an average of up to $1,700 per visit, according to data provided to Auto Finance News by lender Synchrony Financial.

Three factors contributed to the rise, Keith Mait, automotive, oil and gas business leader for Synchrony, told AFN:

• Vehicles are more complex with more expensive technology;
• Customers keep their vehicles longer; and
• Repair shops struggle to find talent.

With longer ownership of vehicles, more repairs are inevitable, he said. While customers are willing to get emergency repairs, many aren’t willing to pay for preventative maintenance.

“Consumers are likely to opt in to the kinds of services that get them back on the road faster and safer,” he said. “They may not immediately agree to do the work that might be proactive.”

Synchrony’s Car Care Credit Card breaks those larger payments into smaller monthly installments, Mait said.

Tariffs to worsen expenses

In a June survey of 1,000 Synchrony’s card holders, just half said they could afford an unexpected expense of $1,000, Mait said.

“The primary word that keeps getting used is ‘anxiety,’” he said. “Consumers are anxious about not necessarily knowing how this is all going to play out.”

The rise in consumer uncertainty comes amid broader inflation and tariff-induced concerns, Mait said. Because parts for repairs are sourced globally, tariffs could “have a major influence on the cost.”

“[Consumers] need to maintain a proactive mindset toward vehicle health,” he said. “If they’re not under warranty anymore, they need to be mindful of the expenses that are coming their way.”

Tune in to “Weekly Wrap” to hear Mait’s conversation with AFN Associate Editor Aidan Bush.