A recent study funded by a major Russian bank and released to socialbites.ca shows that in spring 2022 Russians sharply cut car maintenance spending compared with the prior year. Car owners were 35 percent less likely to have their vehicles painted, repaired, or tuned.
Demand for passenger car auto parts and accessories fell by 26 percent while prices rose by 16 percent. The average purchase for parts stood at 3.3 thousand rubles.
Bank data also reveals that Russians started visiting service stations more often in spring, increasing visits by 29 percent from the previous year. The typical service bill rose to about 6 thousand rubles. Car washes saw demand up 16 percent, though the average check declined by 15 percent to about 430 rubles.
Analysts note a striking disparity in spending by gender during March to May 2022. Women averaged 6.2 thousand rubles per service bill, while men averaged only 1.4 thousand rubles. The trend shows women spending more on auto parts overall.
Industry observers explain that drivers are prioritizing savings on everything not tied to safety. This extends to body repairs and car washes, according to a spokesperson from a national car service network.
For many, past crises taught a lesson: putting off repairs can trigger higher costs later because a single failing component can cascade into other issues.
While demand for body repairs and car washes dipped, other maintenance remained steady. Some people may once have joked about their cars because full service was unaffordable, or they may be choosing maintenance that minimizes overall expenses.
There will be no shortage, but the price of everything will rise
Industry leadership warns that spare parts shortages should ease by autumn, yet prices are likely to climb by 15 to 20 percent. The broader sanctions environment and higher costs for raw materials and energy are expected to push costs higher through the year.
Market participants observe no global shortage crisis in auto parts for service centers, noting compensating adjustments among brands. In large cities the average service bill has stayed close to last year, while smaller markets show softer demand.
Officials acknowledge that the outlook for spare parts and repair costs may worsen by autumn due to resource limits and reduced consumer demand. Orders have held level year over year, but households are tightening belts and approaching maintenance with greater caution. In March many owners stocked up on spare parts for future use, now returning for those items.
Industry voices stress that the main challenge ahead is slower real income growth and weaker consumption. Parallel imports of auto parts have not yet become a normal practice for service stations. In early June executives expect a formal update outlining new import standards and procedures, while concerns linger about the need for certificates and power of attorney to bring in parts from foreign manufacturers.
There will be more thieves
Insurance leaders warn that limited spare parts supply could drive more thefts from vehicles. A chief executive at a major insurer notes this trend already appearing in several mass market models, with insurers predicting increases in theft of individual parts and assemblies. The explanations point to higher demand for used parts, rising new part costs, and the general economic strain that tends to drive crime.
Industry insiders caution that a worsening fleet age does not yet signal a broad downturn in vehicle safety but could accelerate wear over time. Analysts expect aging fleets to show higher maintenance needs as repairs accumulate and replacement parts become scarcer.
Moving away from parking lots to sheltered storage is viewed as a lasting trend. Industry leaders also anticipate a normalization of repairs once alternative spare parts become more available by autumn.
Insurance price increased
A notable rise in spare parts prices has driven higher costs for insurance coverage tied to vehicle maintenance. The overall cost of a standard parts basket grew, and the portion of repair costs attributed to spare parts rose significantly. This pushed average post-crash repair expenses higher across the market.
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Analysts note that insurance premiums for basic auto coverage have become more challenging to predict when spare parts costs surge. Car owners face the possibility that insurers may add surcharges to existing policies to reflect higher replacement costs.
From a safety perspective, the expected shift in repair economics is unlikely to alter the overall safety landscape dramatically. Before import challenges began, the share of accidents caused by technical malfunctions remained very small. The current focus remains on spare parts availability for critical components, body parts, and glass.