Automotive repair costs in 2026 are up by 60 percent vs 2019, says data. Small workshops are forced to make big investments in equipment and software for modern cars. The rise in repair costs is due to the tech that sometimes locks down certain functions. It’s safe to say that, for better or worse, we have more technology powering our cars than ever before in history. But, according to a new report, all of this technology is driving up repair costs for both mechanics and drivers. The numbers themselves make for sobering reading. From January 2019 to August 2026, repair costs have risen a staggering 60 percent on average. That’s according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis, and the increase has outpaced the rise in the cost of living nearly twofold, with inflation recorded at 32 percent for the same period. The Problem With More Tech To delve into why prices are rising so much and so fast, CNBC interviewed auto mechanic Ralph Czeisler in Brooklyn, New York. According to him, most modern car repairs require a laptop and software. Some laptops are dedicated to a particular brand, and the software is invariably only available as a subscription. Read: Your Car’s Sensors Make Repairs Pricier And Still Save You Money Ford Subscriptions, in turn, can last a few hours or a few years, adding another layer of complexity to the modern auto repair business. “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, ” says Czeisler. The costs are being passed on to consumers, with smaller shops simply unable to absorb the increasing outlay. It’s not just repairs for complex new systems either. In what can only be attributed to rampant industry greed, even the simplest of services have been affected. An oil change, for instance, can have up to $75 added to it. Why? Because the software to access the computer and reset the oil change interval can cost that much. Big Tech = Big Bills Leaving aside the example of the oil change, there are cases where the march of technology — some of which, such as certain advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), is now mandated by law — leaves consumers out of pocket by a greater percentage. A 2023 study by the Automotive Association of America showed that collision repair costs had risen by 37.6 percent. A simple windshield replacement used to be just a new piece of glass and labor. But now, many cars feature a camera behind the windshield for ADAS, and that needs to be calibrated after a replacement. The machine to calibrate cost Czeisler $28,000, the computer another $12,000, and that’s before you start adding on the charges for the model-specific target boards. ADAS Repairs themselves can open up workshops to liability if something were to go wrong, or work incorrectly. Earlier this year, General Motors issued a stern warning to anyone considering repairing any of its cars’ ADAS features with anything other than new, genuine parts, with used or reconditioned items “strictly prohibited” from being used when repairing Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac models. Since 2014, automakers and auto mechanics have been in alignment over information sharing to ensure that smaller repair shops have access to all the necessary tools and info to repair modern cars. However, these agreements do nothing about the cost incurred and fail to limit just how much a manufacturer can charge smaller repair shops to gain access. The result is increased costs for the consumer. And a heavy burden on those trying to keep these cars running. Porsche Lead Image: Stellantis