La Jornada: Car maintenance increases due to the increase in tariffs in Asia

One of the blows to drivers’ pockets is dealt by automotive workshops. Tariffs on imports, especially those from China, have an impact on automobile maintenance costs as a result of the effect on agency supply chains and other related businesses.

The application of tariffs of 20 to 50 percent on automobiles and components from China, India and South Korea have increased the cost of spare parts, explained Santiago Monroy, commercial director at Quálitas, during his participation in the Trends in automotive insurance ecosystems forum.

In recent months, those who take their car in for inspection have noticed the difference: more expensive diagnostics, labor and services that, together, weigh more than before in the total expense. Behind this perception there are figures that confirm the trend.

The cost of automotive maintenance in Mexico increased by 6 percent annually in April, which exceeds general inflation (4.45), according to data from the National Consumer Price Index released by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi).

Inflation has impacted average automotive maintenance by 6.63 percent annually.

The figures show that the pressure on the cost of maintaining a vehicle does not only come from spare parts; Workshop services gain greater weight in household spending.

For example, automobile maintenance registered an annual inflation of 6.05 percent in April of this year, which represented an acceleration compared to March, when it had an annual variation of 5.7. Washing and oiling rose 8.66 in the past 12 months. The repair of the unit was 6.32 percent, according to Inegi data.

For its part, inflation in auto insurance accelerated in April, up to 5.44 percent, the highest variation since November 2024.

These figures are close to, or even above, general inflation, which reinforces the idea that comprehensive maintenance becomes more expensive from different fronts.

Another explanation why the car service rose is the technological transformation. Cars now incorporate more complex electronic systems, sensors, software and components that require advanced tools for diagnosis and repair. This increases the skilled workforce.