Spare parts delays for mid-range and premium foreign vehicles have stretched to about six months, according to Izvestiya, which cites data from leading Russian car dealerships. The prolonged wait for essential components has become a major concern for service centers and motorists alike, signaling a broader disruption in the supply chain that touches several facets of the automotive ecosystem.
Industry representatives report that typical delivery times for spare parts now range from two to as long as six months. The bottlenecks are rooted in limited availability of electronic components, body parts, interior fittings, and critical mechanical units such as engines, cylinder heads, and transmission assemblies. These shortages are not isolated to one brand or segment; they affect a wide spectrum of vehicles and complicate timely maintenance and repairs for owners.
Dealers highlight that obtaining parts for certain brands is notably more challenging. Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, and Cadillac are singled out as brands where supply disruptions are most acute. Experts observe that even with the best efforts of suppliers, the current shortage is likely to persist through the year due to a combination of high demand accumulated over previous months and extended lead times from international suppliers. The situation has created a lingering backlog that affects workshop scheduling, customer wait times, and the overall affordability of repairs.
The Car Services Association notes that manufacturers and distributors, facing regulatory and legislative pressures, are implementing additional controls on the movement of goods. In particular, the Fit Service network reports that the inability to source certain components has pushed up prices, with the cost of specialized, rare parts doubling compared to early 2022 levels. For more commonly demanded parts used in mass-market models, price increases have also been substantial, reflecting broader cost pressures across the sector and the ongoing supply constraints.
There are broader implications for the repair sector beyond component shortages. Observers indicate a growing need for skilled technicians who can work with modern, electronically controlled systems. The shortage of qualified automotive technicians, including specialists in diagnostics and electronic systems, has been cited as a parallel challenge for service stations across the country. As vehicles become increasingly sophisticated, the demand for diagnosticians and technicians who can interpret and repair complex electronic networks continues to rise, compounding the pressure on repair facilities facing part delays and longer downtime for repairs.