DRIVERS will be forced to pinch costs as a new tariff is set to send auto repair costs soaring.
A 25% import tax on goods crossing the Mexican and Canadian borders is set to drive up prices on car parts.
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Mechanics in Nashville, Tennessee, warn that standard repairs will soon cost significantly more.
“Generally, a $500 brake job may be a $600 brake job coming up soon,” said Chris Fowle with Precision Tune Auto Care.
He said that the tariff will hit hard because many cars on US roads rely on foreign-made parts, reported NBC local affiliate WSMV.
Around a quarter of the vehicles they service are built overseas, Fowle explained.
And there’s no quick fix — automakers can’t just retool 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.
That means manufacturers won’t be able to absorb the cost – so drivers will pay the price.
Everything from brake pads to bumpers could see a steep increase.
Even routine jobs will cost more as shops adjust their pricing to keep up.
Experts say the best way to avoid sticker shock is to stay on top of maintenance.
“Frequent oil changes, tire rotations, and yearly brake checks can save you money,” Fowle advised.
Ignoring small issues could mean even bigger expenses later, especially with tariffs in place.
Alignments, fluid changes, and tire care can prevent costly breakdowns.
And once the new tariffs take effect, those repair bills could climb even higher.
How to save money at the mechanic
THERE are several services offered by mechanics that drivers should never pay for, according to a car expert.
Ron Krauch, an automotive writer, warned drivers not to trust everything they hear in the shop in an exclusive conversation with The U.S. Sun.
He said it’s important for vehicle owners to recognize the difference between their car’s manufacturer’s service schedule and what mechanics are trying to sell.
Any work referred to as a “dealer recommended service” is often an attempt at upselling, Krauch warned.
One of these useless upsells is fuel injecting clearing, which removes built-up dirt and debris from a vehicle’s fuel system to improve 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 said.
Drivers should also always say no to engine flushes, as modern vehicles don’t need any help cleaning out “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,” he said.
And finally, no one should spend extra getting 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 industry is bracing for the impact, with little room to maneuver.
Car owners who wait until parts fail could be in for a nasty surprise.
However, the impact of the 25% tariff may not be as extreme as some fear.
Oakland University economics professor Michael Greiner explains that a 25% tariff doesn’t mean a full 25% jump in car prices.
Instead, the increase applies only to the portion of the vehicle made in Canada or Mexico.
For example, if 15% of a car comes from Mexico, a $34,690 vehicle would rise by about $1,300.
Still, Greiner warns the added costs could push some dealerships out of business and harm 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 said.
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