Avilés mechanics face high demand due to aging vehicle fleet

Mechanical workshops in Avilés, Spain, are experiencing significant saturation and long waiting lists as drivers increasingly opt to repair older vehicles rather than purchase new ones. This trend is driven by an aging automotive fleet; according to data from the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), more than half of the 39,713 registered passenger cars in the city are at least 15 years old. Specifically, 21,484 vehicles are 15 years or older, and over 5,700 have exceeded 25 years of age.

Local professionals report being overwhelmed by the volume of work. Some workshops have waiting lists extending several weeks or even months, with some technicians noting they are booked until their planned retirement. The situation is further complicated by a shortage of qualified professionals and delays in the supply of spare parts.

Beyond availability, consumers face challenges regarding transparency and the technical asymmetry between mechanics and clients. Some official workshops have implemented practices where customers must pay significant diagnostic fees—sometimes exceeding 150 euros per hour—before any actual repairs are performed or even before a solution is identified.