75+ Car Maintenance & Garage Statistics [2026]

These car maintenance statistics tell a clear story: Americans spend nearly $1,000 per year keeping their vehicles on the road, auto repair costs have surged 43.6% since 2019, and the average car on U.S. roads is now 12.6 years old — an all-time record.

We compiled and verified every number on this page using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, AAA, Auto Care Association, and 12 additional sources. Whether you’re a DIY mechanic, a shop owner, or just trying to figure out if you’re overpaying for oil changes — these are the automotive maintenance statistics that matter most in 2026.

Key Car Maintenance Statistics at a Glance

Before we get into the details, here are the eight car maintenance statistics that define the current state of vehicle ownership in America:

Car Maintenance Cost Statistics

The average American spends $936 per year on routine maintenance and unscheduled repairs, according to RepairPal data adjusted for BLS Consumer Price Index inflation. But that headline number hides enormous variation.

AAA’s 2023 Your Driving Costs report puts the per-mile figure at 9.83 cents. At the FHWA average of 14,489 miles per year, that works out to closer to $1,424 annually — a number that includes tire wear, fluids, and incidentals beyond major repairs.

What you drive matters just as much as how much you drive. A Honda owner spends roughly $583 per year on maintenance; a Porsche owner spends nearly three times that at $1,623. For many owners, the cost difference is enough to justify investing in a home car lift and doing more work themselves.

Annual Maintenance Cost by Vehicle Brand

Luxury and European brands dominate the high end, while Japanese automakers consistently deliver the lowest ownership costs. These figures are inflation-adjusted through 2025.

Repair Costs Are Rising Faster Than Inflation

Since January 2019, the BLS Consumer Price Index for motor vehicle maintenance and repair (series CUUR0000SETD) has climbed 43.6%. In 2023 alone, repair costs jumped 6.5% year-over-year — far outpacing the general inflation rate. Technician shortages, supply chain disruptions, and increasingly complex vehicle electronics are all fueling the surge.

Service Cost Ranges

What should you expect to pay? Here’s a breakdown by service type, from basic maintenance to worst-case-scenario repairs:

American Garage Statistics & Usage Data

There are more than 82 million garages in the United States — but most of them aren’t being used to park cars. From DIY workshops to home gyms to side-hustle headquarters, garages have become the most versatile room in the American home. If you’re one of the millions using your garage as a workspace, a proper setup — from lift accessories to low-ceiling solutions — can make all the difference.

The data also reveals a clutter epidemic: 36% of garage owners can’t even fit a car inside, and a UCLA study found that 75% of Los Angeles families use their garages exclusively for storage.

What Happens in American Garages

Garage Ownership & Usage Data

Complete Garage Statistics

The DIY Auto Maintenance Boom

The DIY auto parts market hit $84 billion in 2025 and shows no signs of slowing down. With shop labor rates climbing and YouTube making complex repairs accessible, more Americans than ever are turning wrenches in their own garages. The right equipment makes a big difference — see our guide to the best car lifts for home garages if you’re thinking about leveling up your setup.

There are now 26 million self-identified DIY auto enthusiasts in the U.S., and they skew young: 50% of DIYers are between 18 and 44, compared to just 38% of non-DIYers in that age range. The pandemic accelerated the trend, but rising repair costs are sustaining it.

DIY Auto Parts Market Growth

The market grew 65% from 2017 to 2025 (5.3% CAGR) and is projected to reach $109 billion by 2030.

What You Save by Doing It Yourself

The savings from DIY maintenance add up quickly. On some repairs, you’ll pay less than a third of what a shop charges — especially if you have proper equipment like a quality floor jack or a car lift instead of jack stands. Here’s how common jobs compare:

Auto Repair Industry by the Numbers

The U.S. automotive repair and maintenance industry is a $199 billion market as of 2025, projected to reach $281 billion by 2031 according to Mordor Intelligence. It’s dominated by independent shops — 71% of all repair establishments are independently owned — and it’s running headlong into a workforce crisis.

Why Vehicles Keep Getting Older

The average car on American roads is now 12.6 years old — an all-time record, according to S&P Global Mobility. That number has risen steadily from 9.6 years in 2002, driven by improved vehicle reliability, higher new-car prices, and longer loan terms.

This aging fleet is good news for the maintenance industry: there are now 76 million vehicles 16 years or older on U.S. roads, all requiring more frequent and more expensive upkeep. It’s also a major driver behind the DIY market boom — older cars are simpler to work on and more worthwhile to maintain yourself. A solid 2-post or 4-post lift can turn routine maintenance on an aging vehicle into a 30-minute job instead of a weekend project.

Average Vehicle Age on U.S. Roads, 2002–2024

EV vs Gas: The Maintenance Cost Gap

Electric vehicles have a clear maintenance cost advantage — especially in the early years. A landmark study analyzing 65 million repair orders found that EV owners spent just $77 on maintenance over the first three years, compared to $228 for gas vehicle owners.

That’s a 30% savings, driven by fewer moving parts, no oil changes, and regenerative braking that extends brake pad life. But the picture isn’t entirely one-sided: EV battery replacements cost between $4,000 and $18,000, and heavier curb weights mean EV tires wear out faster. Proper wheel alignment becomes even more critical for EVs to maximize tire life.

Maintenance Cost Over Vehicle Lifecycle: EV vs Gas

Car Repair Costs by State

Where you live has a measurable impact on what you pay for auto repairs. Coastal, high-cost-of-living states consistently rank at the top, driven by higher shop labor rates and local wage pressures. The national average check engine light repair is $383 according to RepairPal, but California owners pay $414 while Vermont owners pay just $340 — a $74 spread. In expensive states, the payback period on a used car lift is even shorter.

Most and Least Expensive States for Auto Repair

Car Maintenance Statistics FAQ

Quick answers to the most common questions people ask about car maintenance statistics, repair costs, and garage usage data:

Methodology & Sources

Every car maintenance statistic on this page is sourced from publicly available government datasets, peer-reviewed industry reports, or surveys conducted by established research organizations. All data was collected and cross-referenced in March 2026. Where dollar amounts are inflation-adjusted, we used the BLS Consumer Price Index series CUUR0000SETD (Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair).

We do not use modeled estimates or projections without labeling them as such. Projected figures (e.g., 2030 market forecasts) are clearly marked.

Data Sources