New Mexico Drivers Pay Highest Increase On Car Repairs In The Nation

While to many this is old news even if the never seen it. Mostly because they have probably already experienced it.

The yearly CarMD state auto repair cost report for 2015 showed that New Mexico had the largest increase in auto repair costs in the nation. Up from the 47th most expensive state for auto repairs to the 8th most expensive state for auto repairs. The biggest one year move since the index has been tracked. A whopping 22% increase in one year. That works out to an average repair that was around $350.00 in 2014 increased to around $430.00 in 2015.

The major portion of that increase was in the cost of parts. While parts prices remained steady for most of the nation and even dropped in some states, they increased substantially in New Mexico.

There are many reasons why,

• Putting off repairs usually leads to more expensive repairs later, usually with brakes, maintenance and performance (check engine light) issues this is especially true.
• Significant changes in the parts suppliers in the state, O’Reilly acquired Checker Auto in April 2008, and with it $500 million of debt that has been steadily raising wholesale prices. In January of 2014 Carquest  was acquired by Advanced Auto Parts and spend around $73 million in the still ongoing conversion which has lead to steady increases there as well. Icahn acquired Pep Express parts in January of 2016 after an $18 million dollar loss in profits for the last five years and  that is driving up parts prices as well.
• Another undeniable reality for both parts and labor costs in the state is the massive increase in the cost of business in the state, especially property and leasehold expenses in Bernalillo County and the City of Albuquerque.

This increase hits many people in a state still in decline very hard on a vital need and expense.

TEC PRO Auto Care understands the hit this has on people in New Mexico and has several options to help lessen and in many cases reverse the burden of  auto repairs for it’s customers in Albuquerque. Feel free to ask us about them at your next call or visit .