How Tariffs Are Affecting Auto Repair Costs

If you’ve noticed it’s taking longer to get your car repaired—or you’ve been told a specific part is on backorder—you’renot alone. Across the country, the auto repair industry is feeling the impact of tariffs and ongoing trade uncertainty, and it’s directly affecting drivers like you.

At Mighty Auto Pro, we believe in keeping our customers informed. Here’s what you should know about how tariffs are influencing the availability and cost of car parts, especially for vehicles that are more than a few years old.

What’s Going On with Tariffs?

Recently, global trade tensions have led to a rollercoaster of import tariffs—especially on goods like steel, aluminum, and automotive components manufactured overseas. These tariffs have been implemented, lifted, and reimposed multiple times, creating instability in the auto parts supply chain.

For auto repair shops, this “yo-yo effect” makes it harder to:

• Predict part availability
• Maintain steady pricing
• Order parts in advance
• Provide accurate repair timelines

This back-and-forth has caused major delays in parts delivery, especially for components that aren’t manufactured domestically.

Why It’s Affecting Cars That Are 3+ Years Old

While newer vehicles tend to have stronger supply chains due to current production cycles, vehicles that are 3 years or older often rely on parts that are:

• No longer in high production
• Sourced from overseas manufacturers
• More difficult to stock in large quantities

As a result, parts for these vehicles—such as alternators, sensors, modules, and certain electronic components—can take much longer to arrive than they did just a few years ago. In some cases, parts are limited in supply or only available through specific vendors at higher costs.

What This Means for Your Repairs

If you bring your vehicle in for a repair and we tell you the part is on backorder or delayed, we understand how frustrating that can be. But we want you to know:

• We’re actively sourcing parts from multiple trusted vendors to reduce delays
• We’ll communicate transparently if a delay is expected
• We can often provide temporary solutions to keep your car road-ready while we wait for a part
• Our team stays up to date on sourcing trends to minimize the impact on you

What You Can Do

While tariffs and part shortages are out of your control, here are a few ways you can stay ahead of potential issues:

• Don’t delay needed repairs—minor issues can turn into major ones if parts become unavailable
• Stay on top of routine maintenance to avoid emergency part replacements
• Plan ahead for seasonal check-ups, especially before summer road trips or winter weather
• Ask us for a diagnostic check if you’re concerned about any component—we may be able to pre-order parts if needed

Trust Mighty Auto Pro to Keep You Moving

We know how much you rely on your vehicle, and even with the challenges caused by shifting tariffs, we’re committed to keeping your car running safely and efficiently. At Mighty Auto Pro, we go the extra mile to track down the parts you need and keep you informed every step of the way.

Have a question about a part or repair timeline? Contact us today!

We’re always happy to explain the situation and help you make the best decision for your vehicle.