Car Repair Costs Have Climbed Twice as Fast as Inflation. Software Is Why.

US vehicle repair and maintenance costs rose about 60% from January 2019 through August 2026, nearly double the 32% general inflation rate. Proprietary diagnostics, recurring software subscriptions and ADAS calibration are driving the increase, with calibration equipment costing up to $90,000 and an oil-change reset adding as much as $75.

• Repair costs up 60% since 2019 vs 32% general inflation
• ADAS parts and calibration are 37.6% of average repair costs
• Full ADAS calibration equipment can reach roughly $90,000
• Software oil-change reset can add up to $75 to a bill