Increasingly sophisticated vehicles are forcing repair shops to spend more on computers, software and calibration equipment — costs that mechanics say are reaching consumers.
Auto mechanic Ralph Czeisler in Brooklyn, New York, said the rapid pace of technological change is forcing him to invest more time and money just to perform even basic repairs, and he is having to pass those costs on to consumers.
“Every year, I update all my computers,” said Czeisler, who owns Emil’s All-Tire in the Gravesend neighborhood. “I have multiple computers for domestic, Asian, European cars, and it’s very costly. Every year they make changes, and it costs more money and more money. And it’s getting very challenging.”
Many mechanics across the U.S. face the same problems, said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering at AAA.
“The repairs of these vehicles are so sophisticated now and almost always require a laptop,” he said.
Sometimes it’s a laptop dedicated to that brand of vehicle, he added. The shop also needs subscriptions to software and data services to perform repairs on the car, which can be purchased for varying degrees of time, ranging from a few hours to a year. Those recurring costs can be difficult for a smaller shop to absorb.
“It has become increasingly financially difficult for independent shops to be able to service all makes and models,” Brannon said.
Czeisler said he is passing at least some of these costs on to consumers.
“The consumer is getting the shaft at the end of the day because they’re getting offset by the monetary cost as well,” he said.
Rising costs
Overall, repair costs have risen about 60% from January 2019 to August 2026, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve. That is almost twice the 32% increase in overall inflation over the same period.
The data doesn’t indicate exactly why prices are rising. But research suggests technological progress is driving up costs in at least some cases.
A 2023 AAA study found that calibrating advanced driver-assistance systems, or ADAS, can raise the cost of a collision repair by 37.6%.
Replacing a cracked windshield, for example, used to be a matter of ordering a new windshield and installing it.
Now, the camera behind the windshield needs to be calibrated, said Ariella Czeisler, Ralph’s daughter who also works in the shop. The camera behind the windshield is one of at least a few on a vehicle, depending on the model. These cameras and sensors usually support the ADAS and active safety features that automakers have been adding.
A single calibration machine costs about $28,000, according to an invoice the shop provided to CNBC. The necessary computer that comes with it is another $12,000. A total array can cost up to $90,000. On top of that, there are target boards mounted to the machine that are designed to calibrate specific cameras. Each of those boards can run hundreds or even thousands of dollars for more premium brands, Ariella Czeisler said.
“God forbid we don’t calibrate the windshield…
Read More: High-tech vehicles are costing mechanics and customers more
