Mechanics in Nashville, Tennessee, are cautioning that the cost of standard vehicle repairs is set to rise significantly.
“Generally, a $500 brake job may be a $600 brake job coming up soon,” said Chris Fowle of Precision Tune Auto Care.
Fowle noted that the increase is largely due to tariffs, as many vehicles on U.S. roads depend on foreign-made parts.
He explained that approximately a quarter of the cars they service are manufactured overseas.There’s no simple solution automakers cannot just modify their production lines overnight.
“There’s really not a whole lot of things they can do to cut corners or to cut costs to offset the cost of the tariffs at this point,” Fowle told the outlet.
As a result, manufacturers won’t be able to absorb the increased expenses, meaning the financial burden will fall on drivers.
A wide range of auto parts, from brake pads to bumpers, could see sharp price hikes. Even routine maintenance will become costlier as auto shops adjust their pricing to keep pace with rising expenses.
Experts suggest that staying proactive with car maintenance is the best way to avoid sticker shock. “Frequent oil changes, tire rotations, and yearly brake checks can save you money,” Fowle advised.
Neglecting minor issues could lead to even steeper costs down the line, particularly with tariffs increasing prices. Regular alignments, fluid changes, and tire maintenance can help prevent expensive breakdowns. Once the new tariffs take effect, repair costs could climb even higher.
There are several services that mechanics offer that drivers should avoid paying for, according to a car expert.
Automotive writer Ron Krauch cautioned against trusting every recommendation from a repair shop in an exclusive discussion with The U.S. Sun.
He emphasized that vehicle owners should differentiate between manufacturer-recommended maintenance and upsells from mechanics.
Krauch warned that any service labeled as a “dealer recommended service” is often just an attempt to upsell unnecessary work.
One such unnecessary service is fuel injection cleaning, which is intended to remove dirt and debris from a car’s fuel system to enhance performance.
“Modern vehicles typically have fuel systems that are designed to stay clean, especially with the use of high-quality gasoline that contains detergents to keep injectors free of deposits,” he explained.
Another service to decline is an engine flush, as modern vehicles do not require additional cleaning to remove “sludge or deposits.”
“Most modern engines and oils are formulated to stay clean, and if you regularly change your oil on schedule, you shouldn’t need this service,” Krauch said.
Additionally, he advised against paying extra for a premium oil change.
“Shops often upsell customers to synthetic or high-performance oils—even if the vehicle’s manufacturer doesn’t require them,” Krauch said.
The auto industry is preparing for the economic impact of these changes, with limited options to mitigate costs.
Drivers who wait until parts fail could face unexpectedly high repair bills.However, the full impact of the 25% tariff might not be as drastic as some fear.
Michael Greiner, an economics professor at Oakland University, explained that a 25% tariff does not necessarily mean a direct 25% increase in car prices.
Instead, the tariff applies only to the portion of a vehicle made in Canada or Mexico.
For example, if 15% of a car is manufactured in Mexico, a $34,690 vehicle would see an approximate price increase of $1,300.
Still, Greiner cautioned that these added expenses could push some dealerships out of business and negatively impact the economy.
“The North American market is completely integrated where cars are going back and forth from the United States to Canada and Mexico and back to the US again,” Greiner explained.