
Although I’ve been out of the shop for several years now, I’ve noticed the cost of repairs slowly climbing. And I know plenty of other drivers have too. If your last oil change or brake job made you do a double-take, you’re not imagining things. Car service costs have jumped significantly in the past year (by 15%), outpacing general inflation and frustrating drivers across the country. While rising prices are part of the story, they’re far from the whole picture. Behind the scenes, a mix of technology, labor challenges, and global supply issues is quietly reshaping the auto repair industry. Here’s everything you need to know.