Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the U.S. automotive repair and maintenance industry generated $68.5 billion in revenue, marking a 4.2% increase from 2022 driven by rising vehicle age and mileage.
- Globally, the car repair market was valued at $803.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $1,057.4 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.6%.
- U.S. auto repair shops numbered 168,000 in 2023, with an average revenue per shop of $408,000.
- In 2023, 65% of U.S. consumers spent over $500 on vehicle repairs annually.
- Average annual repair and maintenance cost per U.S. vehicle reached $1,472 in 2023.
- 42% of U.S. drivers delayed repairs in 2023 due to high costs averaging $650 per visit.
- U.S. auto repair industry employed 1.1 million people in 2023, with 4.2% job growth.
- Average hourly wage for U.S. auto technicians was $25.67 in 2023.
- 73,000 new jobs added in U.S. car repair sector from 2022-2023.
- 68% of U.S. vehicles over 10 years old needed repairs in 2023.
- Brake issues topped repair lists at 22% of U.S. visits in 2023.
- Battery failures accounted for 18% of repair orders in winter 2023 U.S.
- ADAS calibration repairs surged 45% in 2023.
- 42% of U.S. shops equipped with EV charging diagnostics by 2023 end.
- AI diagnostic tools adopted by 31% of shops in 2023.
The car repair industry grew globally last year as older vehicles need more maintenance.
Consumer Spending and Costs
- In 2023, 65% of U.S. consumers spent over $500 on vehicle repairs annually.
- Average annual repair and maintenance cost per U.S. vehicle reached $1,472 in 2023.
- 42% of U.S. drivers delayed repairs in 2023 due to high costs averaging $650 per visit.
- Brake repair costs averaged $581 in the U.S. in 2023, up 12% from 2022.
- Tire replacement costs for U.S. consumers averaged $637 per set in 2023.
- 28% of millennials spent over $1,000 on repairs in 2023, highest among generations.
- Average diagnostic fee at U.S. shops rose to $122 in 2023.
- Oil change costs increased 15% to $85 average in U.S. in 2023.
- Transmission repair averaged $3,200 in the U.S. in 2023, with 55% failure rate linked to neglect.
- Battery replacement cost $168 on average for U.S. vehicles in 2023.
- 37% of U.S. households spent $800-$1,500 on car repairs in 2023.
- Engine repair costs hit $4,150 average in U.S. 2023 due to labor shortages.
- Alignment services cost $82 average in U.S. shops in 2023.
- AC repair averaged $1,020 in U.S. in 2023, up 18% YoY.
- Exhaust system replacement cost $1,029 average U.S. 2023.
Consumer Spending and Costs Interpretation
Employment and Labor
- U.S. auto repair industry employed 1.1 million people in 2023, with 4.2% job growth.
- Average hourly wage for U.S. auto technicians was $25.67 in 2023.
- 73,000 new jobs added in U.S. car repair sector from 2022-2023.
- Technician shortage reached 76,000 positions unfilled in U.S. 2023.
- 62% of U.S. repair shops reported labor shortages in 2023 survey.
- Average tenure for auto technicians in U.S. was 8.2 years in 2023.
- Women comprised 4.5% of U.S. auto repair workforce in 2023, up from 3.8%.
- Entry-level mechanic wages averaged $18.50/hour in U.S. 2023.
- 45% of technicians certified by ASE in U.S. shops in 2023.
- Turnover rate in auto repair shops was 28% in U.S. 2023.
- Master technicians earned $32.40/hour average U.S. 2023.
- Collision repair estimators averaged $27.50/hour in 2023 U.S.
- 52% of shops trained staff on EVs in 2023, needing 250,000 more techs.
- Service advisors earned $24.80/hour average U.S. 2023.
- Parts counter personnel wages $19.20/hour U.S. 2023 average.
- 35% of technicians under 25 years old in U.S. 2023.
- Canada had 120,000 auto service jobs in 2023, growth 3.1%.
Employment and Labor Interpretation
Market Size and Revenue
- In 2023, the U.S. automotive repair and maintenance industry generated $68.5 billion in revenue, marking a 4.2% increase from 2022 driven by rising vehicle age and mileage.
- Globally, the car repair market was valued at $803.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $1,057.4 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.6%.
- U.S. auto repair shops numbered 168,000 in 2023, with an average revenue per shop of $408,000.
- The aftermarket parts segment of the car repair industry accounted for 72% of total market revenue in 2023.
- In Europe, the automotive repair market size reached €142 billion in 2022, with Germany leading at €38 billion.
- U.S. independent repair shops captured 78% of the market share in 2023, compared to 22% for dealerships.
- The collision repair segment grew by 5.1% in 2023 to $44.2 billion in the U.S., fueled by increased accidents.
- Asia-Pacific car repair market is expected to grow at 5.8% CAGR from 2023-2028, reaching $450 billion.
- In 2023, quick-service oil change and tire shops generated $12.4 billion in U.S. revenue.
- The U.S. general automotive repair industry saw 3.2% revenue growth in 2023 despite inflation pressures.
- Canadian auto repair market revenue hit CAD 25.6 billion in 2023, up 4.5% YoY.
- U.S. repairable claims in collision repair rose 7% in 2023 to 5.2 million incidents.
- The luxury vehicle repair segment in the U.S. grew 6.3% to $8.9 billion in 2023.
- Global OEM parts sales in repair market reached $250 billion in 2023.
- U.S. fleet maintenance repair services generated $15.7 billion in 2023.
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
Regional and Demographic Insights
- In California, 35% of repairs were EV-related in 2023.
- Rural U.S. areas had 2.8 repair visits/vehicle vs 1.9 urban in 2023.
- Baby boomers accounted for 41% of repair spending in 2023 U.S.
- Texas collision repairs averaged 12% higher due to weather 2023.
- Gen Z drivers 18-24 had 25% more tire repairs 2023.
- Midwest U.S. rust repairs 22% above national average 2023.
- Hispanic consumers 28% of new repair customers in Southwest 2023.
- Florida AC repairs 32% higher than average 2023.
- Urban millennials delayed 34% more repairs than rural peers 2023.
- Northeast U.S. battery replacements up 18% winter 2023.
- Low-income households (<$50k) spent 8.2% income on repairs 2023.
- Southeast brake repairs 15% above avg due to humidity 2023.
- Seniors 65+ had 3.1 visits/year vs 1.8 for under 30s 2023.
- Pacific Northwest alignment issues 20% higher potholes 2023.
- African American drivers 22% more collision repairs urban 2023.
Regional and Demographic Insights Interpretation
Technological and Future Projections
- ADAS calibration repairs surged 45% in 2023.
- 42% of U.S. shops equipped with EV charging diagnostics by 2023 end.
- AI diagnostic tools adopted by 31% of shops in 2023.
- TPMS repairs expected to grow 28% by 2028.
- EV repair market projected to hit $20 billion U.S. by 2030.
- Telematics integration in 55% of new repair tools 2023.
- 3D printing for parts used in 12% collision shops 2023.
- VR training modules adopted by 22% of shops in 2023.
- Autonomous vehicle repair prep in 8% of U.S. shops 2023.
- Cybersecurity for vehicle diagnostics needed by 2025, 67% shops unprepared 2023.
- Robot-assisted repairs in 5% of large shops 2023.
- OTA updates reduced 15% shop visits projected by 2030.
- AR glasses for techs piloted in 3% shops 2023.
- Predictive maintenance software in 19% fleets 2023.
- Blockchain for parts traceability 2% adoption 2023.
Technological and Future Projections Interpretation
Vehicle Repair Trends
- 68% of U.S. vehicles over 10 years old needed repairs in 2023.
- Brake issues topped repair lists at 22% of U.S. visits in 2023.
- Battery failures accounted for 18% of repair orders in winter 2023 U.S.
- Tire wear led to 15% of unscheduled shop visits in 2023.
- Diagnostic trouble codes rose 25% due to electronics in 2023 vehicles.
- Oil leaks affected 12% of vehicles over 100,000 miles in 2023.
- Suspension repairs up 14% in 2023 due to potholes.
- Check engine light illuminated in 47% of U.S. vehicles yearly 2023.
- AC failures peaked at 19% in summer 2023 repairs.
- Transmission issues in 8% of shop visits 2023 U.S.
- Electrical system repairs grew 20% with ADAS in 2023.
- Exhaust repairs down 5% due to durable cats in 2023 models.
- Hybrid battery repairs up 30% in 2023 U.S. shops.
- Rust repairs increased 11% in Northeast U.S. 2023.
- Average vehicle visit frequency was 2.3 times/year in 2023 U.S.
Vehicle Repair Trends Interpretation
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