Record Car Repair Costs: Electrical Systems Become the Most Expensive to Maintain

Car maintenance and repair costs continue to rise at a pace that is putting serious pressure on consumers. According to a new analysis by CarGarantie, the average repair cost in Germany has reached a record 764 euros, observing a steady upward trend.

One of the most significant changes in the cost structure is the takeover of the leading position by electrical systems. For the first time, they are displacing drivetrain systems as the most expensive group of components during repairs. In new cars, the share of costs for electrical installation reaches 19.3%, while for engines it falls to 16.9%. A similar trend is observed in used cars, where defects in the electrical system are also showing an increase.

Why are repairs becoming more expensive?

Experts point to a combination of factors keeping prices high: increased raw material costs, global economic uncertainty, supply chain issues, and rising wages in the sector. Furthermore, modern cars are technically much more complex – relying on numerous sensors, controllers, and assistance systems, the servicing of which requires specialized and expensive diagnostics.

Drivers are skipping service centers

Rising prices are leading to a change in consumer behavior. A report from DAT reveals that nearly 60% of car owners admit to visiting a service center less frequently than they should, precisely because of the financial burden of repairs. This is risky, as statistics show that breakdowns can occur at any time – about 27.5% of defects appear within the first 5,000 km of mileage, and 20% occur by 25,000 km.

Markus Zöldner, CEO of CarGarantie, notes that reaching this price ceiling is an indication of the strong influence of economic factors on the automotive industry, and a quick relief of the situation is not expected in the near future.