Car repairs are getting more expensive and complex. How to stay ahead.

Caribou’s survey of 2,000 U.S. car owners shows why maintenance is harder to manage and how drivers can plan ahead.

Car maintenance has become harder to anticipate and afford. Repair prices are rising, vehicles are staying on the road longer, and newer technology can require specialized service. Against that backdrop, Caribou’s survey of 2,000 U.S. car owners found that more than 1 in 4 drivers have waited at least a month to have a dashboard warning light checked. Planning ahead can give drivers more control over what happens next.

As repair prices rise, building them into the budget matters more

A car payment arrives in the same amount each month, but a repair bill can be difficult to forecast. Two-thirds (67%) of drivers experienced an unexpected car expense in the past year, and 38% faced costs totaling at least $500. 

Rising repair costs exacerbate this uncertainty. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that prices for motor vehicle maintenance and repair increased 4.9% from January 2025 to January 2026.¹

Among all survey respondents, 44% say the cost of a single repair caught them off guard in the past year, more than any other ownership cost on the survey. Another 41% have been blindsided by the cost for a full set of tires. 

Tires eventually need to be replaced, but regular rotation, balancing and alignment can extend their life. Proper inflation alone can add an average of 4,700 miles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).²

Another way to get ahead of car trouble is to create a dedicated car fund for routine service and repairs. Saving a smaller amount monthly can keep an irregular expense from competing with rent, groceries or other bills.

Affordable used cars now come with more age and mileage

Edmunds’s data found that cars priced below $20,000 accounted for just 31% of used-car sales in Q2 2026, down from 55% in 2019.³ 

The same budget now buys an older, higher-mileage vehicle, which could mean tire, brake, suspension and other repairs are needed sooner after purchase.

Nearly 1 in 4 (23%) used-car owners say they intend to keep their current vehicle as long as possible, until it stops running, compared with 12% of new-car owners—making maintenance costs especially consequential for this group. 

Used-car owners have a strong incentive to preserve their vehicles, yet they are also more likely to postpone responding to a potential problem. Thirty-five percent of used-car owners have let a dashboard warning light burn for a month or more before addressing it, compared to 22% of new-car owners. The same segment is also more likely to be surprised by repair prices.

Manufacturer warranties for used cars vary based on the vehicle’s age and purchase location. Depending on the vehicle and the driver’s budget, a vehicle service contract (VSC) may help cover repair costs after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. A VSC can cover critical components such as the engine, transmission, heating and cooling, and brakes. Getting one makes particular sense for older or higher-mileage vehicles, or if a driver plans to keep their car for several years.

More vehicle technology can mean more complicated repairs

Vehicle age isn’t the only issue. Newer cars are full of advanced technology such as cameras, sensors, and electronic controls that require special equipment or expertise to fix.

As advanced features become standard, vehicle maintenance grows increasingly complex across all models—not just luxury cars. This added technological complexity has also driven a noticeable rise in vehicle recalls.⁴ In Caribou’s survey, 17% of drivers say a vehicle recall has caught them off guard. 

Limited repair options make comparison shopping more important

Complexity also affects where a vehicle can be serviced. According to the Auto Care Association, 51% of independent repair shops reported sending up to five vehicles per month to dealerships because data limitations prevented them from completing the work.⁵

For drivers, a restricted repair path can mean fewer opportunities to compare prices, longer travel or wait times, and less flexibility over when the work is completed. 

Owners should ask whether a repair requires a dealership or can be handled by a qualified independent shop. When there is a choice, compare written estimates and ask whether original-equipment, aftermarket or remanufactured parts are appropriate.

How drivers can make car maintenance more predictable

The true cost of owning a vehicle cannot be evaluated by its purchase price or monthly payment alone. Maintenance is a big part of the car-affordability conversation. No plan can eliminate every surprise, but drivers can make car ownership expenses easier to absorb. 

Drivers can also look at the fixed costs surrounding the vehicle. Shopping insurance, reviewing optional coverage and, for eligible borrowers, checking whether refinancing could lower an auto loan payment may create room in the monthly budget for maintenance.

Treating maintenance as a regular part of the monthly car budget, rather than an exception, can make the next repair less of a financial shock.