Representatives from technical centers interviewed by socialbites.ca report rising prices in car repair services, noting that the increase is smaller than the jump in spare parts costs. In one Moscow service center that specializes in Japanese cars, socialbites.ca observed that service prices have climbed since March, even though the shop emphasizes fixed pricing per job rather than a standard hourly rate.
“We do not use a standard hourly rate concept. Prices are set for each type of job. We have increased them, but not by much. For instance, a service that used to cost 1.5 thousand rubles now runs about 1.9 thousand rubles,” explained a technical center representative to socialbites.ca.
As a concrete example, the price to replace a gearbox in a Mazda CX-9 is now at least 3.8 thousand rubles, while a gearbox repair can reach 9 thousand rubles. In another Moscow shop, a mechatronics unit repair for the seven‑speed DSG box used by many Volkswagen Group cars is estimated at 55 thousand rubles. Industry insiders note these costs are roughly 10–20% higher than prices at the start of the year.
In a long‑standing transmission restoration shop, a repair price of 35,000 rubles increased to 40,000 and has now risen to 55,000 rubles, largely driven by higher consumable costs. An unofficial Renault service quotes that replacing the clutch on an all‑wheel‑drive Renault Duster with a manual transmission costs about 12 thousand rubles. While acknowledging price increases, the company asserts that the rise is not drastic.
Other centers showing similar trends report starting prices for related work around 11 thousand rubles. Replacing front struts on a prior‑generation Kia Rio at Autopilot, a shop known for Korean brands, is quoted at 4.8 thousand rubles excluding parts.
Industry observers describe the auto repair market as mixed in its trajectory. Labor costs have already climbed and are expected to keep rising. A prominent analyst notes that, if the real picture is considered, service costs should have risen by 35–40% rather than 20%, and while this level has not yet occurred everywhere, it is approaching those levels. He adds that the cost of materials and components already outpaces service price growth, signaling a widening gap between what goes into repairs and the final bill.
Consumers are increasingly aware of these shifts and are choosing to repair and service their vehicles sooner rather than later. In parallel, the cost of spare parts for major categories has surged, with price increases averaging 60–70%. The spike is driven by higher raw material prices and more expensive logistics. Shortages of certain parts, especially body components sourced directly from manufacturers, push repair costs up further. Some parts have risen three to five times their previous prices, according to an industry veteran.
The market forecasters expect the peak of these pressures to surface in June or July, with lingering effects into the autumn. For now, many shops are operating from existing inventories, but the autumn period could bring tighter availability and price adjustments. In the opinion of a senior leader from the Auto Services Association, the overall trend shows service price increases averaging around 10% so far, with some networks pushing as high as 30%. He suggests that owners should be prepared for potential moves such as relocating to other service providers or adjusting staffing as the market calibrates to the new cost environment.
Meanwhile, the overall service visit rate has risen, while the average ticket size has seen some variability. Regional differences are pronounced: southern regions reported more visits in April, whereas large metropolitan areas like Moscow and St. Petersburg show divergent patterns, with notable increases observed in some urban centers. The situation remains dynamic as the industry weighs strategic responses and households reassess maintenance timelines in light of rising costs.