Germany: Car repair and maintenance costs surge

Vehicle repair costs in Germany have risen by approximately 70 percent over the last decade, reaching an average of 4,600 euros per repair. According to the German Insurance Association (GDV), this increase significantly outpaces the 26 percent rise in general consumer prices during the same period.

Several factors drive these rising costs. Workshop hourly rates have increased by 62 percent since 2017, while the price of spare parts has risen by more than 80 percent since 2016. Insurers attribute the high part costs to manufacturer design protections, which often mandate the use of expensive original components and restrict the use of cheaper alternatives.

In the electric vehicle (EV) sector, maintenance trends show a mixed landscape. While EV inspections are generally 33 percent cheaper than internal combustion engine vehicles due to fewer moving parts, some specialized services—such as replacing high-voltage coolant—can be exceptionally expensive. Additionally, some workshops have raised hourly rates for EVs by an average of 17 percent to compensate for lost revenue from traditional services like oil changes.

Rising costs are also impacting consumer behavior. A DAT barometer indicates that 22 percent of workshops report customers increasingly asking for work to be performed without an invoice to avoid costs. Furthermore, 72 percent of workshops report that customers are now opting to repair only the absolute necessities.