The domino effect created by the new and used car shortage spanning nearly a year and a half now has caused an unforeseen issue. Car owners
are having to wait longer to have repairs performed than ever before. Despite holding on to their older vehicle to save money, the cost of owning and repairing a vehicle is continuing to climb. Drivers should be extra spending-savvy, and be sure to perform routine maintenance in order to avoid costly preventable repairs. Why are car repairs taking so long?
Cars.com
explains that as many Americans have decided to hold on to their aging vehicle due to the high cost of purchasing another (be it used or new), the average age vehicle is 12 years old. With older vehicles comes the inevitable need for repairs, as parts begin to deteriorate as the vehicle passes past the 100,000-mile mark. The problem? Repair shops are overbooked, meaning that it’s taking longer than ever to get an appointment to have your car, truck, or SUV serviced.
Supply chain issues are also to blame
There’s another factor that’s affecting the long wait times for car repairs. Dealers are struggling to acquire the parts that they need in order to perform scheduled repairs, further exacerbating the issue.
Thanks to computer chip shortages, manufacturing plant delays, and trucker protests, the U.S. automotive supply chain has been beleaguered since 2019. It’s a difficult time to own a vehicle—gas prices are surging as the U.S. and other western nations grapple with Russian aggression against Ukraine, enacting the harshest trade restrictions seen since World War 2.
Car repair shops also have a shortage of workers
During the COVID-19 pandemic
, many automotive workers were forced to find other means of employment as manufacturing plants closed due to fear of the virus. Now, with the industry beginning to kick into gear once more, those same workers aren’t returning to the jobs they once held. It’s uncertain what the future of car ownership will look like, and many people are resorting to alternative forms of transportation, including EVs (which are easier and cheaper to maintain), bikes, and even electric bikes and scooters!
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With inflation continuing to affect all aspects of the automotive industry, there’s never been a better time to find new ways to save—and you can start with Jerry
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