The typical cost of maintaining and repairing a car rose noticeably in the first eleven months of 2023, climbing by nearly a quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. This finding comes from Tatyana Ovchinnikova, who leads Fit Service, a global network of car service centers, and spoke with a correspondent from socialbites.ca about these shifting trends.
From January through November 2023, the average expenditure for vehicle upkeep reached about 7.7 thousand rubles per owner. The overall average bill expanded by 23 percent during the year, according to Ovchinnikova, underscoring a broad rise in maintenance costs across households and fleets alike.
One of the clearest drivers behind the higher bills is the ongoing challenge of staffing in the automotive sector. Employers in this field are actively competing to attract and retain qualified technicians, while also elevating the prestige of the profession in the eyes of both current workers and potential entrants. This pressure to secure skilled labor translates into higher labor costs and, consequently, higher invoices for customers.
Standard labor rates at service stations have increased as a means to offer higher wages and better benefits to technicians. While the price of automotive parts did contribute to the rise in average checks, its impact was smaller in proportion to the surge driven by labor costs. In 2022, parts prices did not grow as rapidly as in the preceding year, but currency fluctuations and inflation still affected the cost of components and materials used in repairs.
As owners consider maintenance needs, the mix of services—routine inspections, preventive care, and more extensive repairs—continues to shift. This pattern mirrors broader economic forces, including wage dynamics and supply chain pressures, which together shape the overall pricing landscape in car care. For those managing fleets or multiple vehicles, the trend implies budgeting for higher service expenditures and planning ahead for routine upkeep to avoid unexpected, high-cost repairs.
Analysts note that the upward trajectory in maintenance costs is unlikely to reverse quickly. Projections suggest continued sensitivity to labor supply, wage levels, and the costs of parts that are impacted by currency movements and inflation. Vehicle owners may benefit from proactive maintenance planning, preventive diagnostics, and selecting service providers with transparent pricing and clear explanations of what is included in each service. These practices help ensure informed decisions and can mitigate the impact of price volatility on ongoing vehicle upkeep.
Overall, the market appears to be adjusting to a new normal where skilled labor and stable supply chains play pivotal roles in determining maintenance expenses. For drivers and operators alike, understanding these dynamics is essential to maintaining vehicle reliability while managing total ownership costs over the long term.