Repair Your Vehicle Now or Face Higher Costs Later Due to Import Tariffs | Carscoops

      The price of imported spare parts in the US may increase significantly based on their country of origin.

      Recently, the cost of vehicle maintenance and repairs may rise due to new tariffs imposed by the US. Imported auto parts are now subject to duties, which could also lead to higher insurance premiums.

      Drivers aware that their car requires servicing are being encouraged to take action promptly to avoid rising costs.

      Holding onto your current vehicle instead of trading it in for a new one over the next year may seem like an easy way to mitigate some of the effects of President Trump’s new tariffs. However, the expenses for maintaining and repairing your current car may also be set to increase, and those who know they need repairs are advised to act quickly to avoid higher bills.

      The recently announced tariffs on imported goods will not only impact newly manufactured cars but will also extend to parts essential for maintaining used vehicles starting May 3. Currently, US parts retailers are still able to rely on their existing stock of components imported prior to the implementation of these tariffs.

      This inventory buffer will not last indefinitely.

      Once that stock depletes, the expense of acquiring new parts could rise significantly, especially if sourced from countries like Mexico or Canada. Although Trump announced a pause on many tariffs for 90 days this week, this exemption does not apply to cars and their components, which continue to face a 25 percent tax.

      If parts are procured from China, prices could escalate due to Trump’s reciprocal tariff hikes. In 2023, over 9.2 percent of all auto parts imported into the US, totaling $18 billion, originated from China, as per Detroit News. The US has increasingly depended on China for its parts supply over the last three decades, with the share of components coming from there rising from just 1.2 percent in 1994.

      While billions of dollars’ worth of parts are manufactured within the US and will not be subject to tariffs, industry experts suggest that drivers who typically postpone maintenance and repair work to save money may benefit from having the necessary services done sooner to avoid upcoming price increases.

      "Essentially, the cost of a $500-800 brake job could rise by $150 to $200," stated Skyler Chadwick, director of product consulting at Cox Automotive, to the Detroit Free Press.

      Insurance rates may also go up.

      Another potential consequence is that rising repair costs due to increased parts prices may lead to higher insurance premiums. This is logical, as insurance providers will have to spend more to repair or replace vehicles if deemed totaled; consequently, they will likely raise premiums for drivers to balance the costs.

      Even if you are not scheduling a visit to the repair shop this week, you could still feel the financial impact on your monthly expenses in the future.