Up to Six-Weeks of Parts Supply Left Before Tariffs Impact Repair Prices

With automotive repairers estimated to have a few weeks before they begin feeling the impact of tariffs, many are using this as a way to bring in customers before prices increase, according to Detroit Free Press.

Data from Cox Automotive has shown that 44% of automakers’ repair parts are imported, with aftermarket parts being mostly sourced from Taiwan. Repair shops will begin to feel the difference from tariffs when their parts supply runs low, and they have to order parts from overseas.

Skyler Chadwick, director of product consulting at Cox Automotive, shared that independent shops are estimated to have an approximate four- to six-week supply of parts in inventory right now. 

For customers of those shops, seeking out repairs before then could mean lower prices—something that the Michigan-based LaFontaine Automotive Group dealership group has used as a tool to bring in more customers.

“We have reached out to guests who have visited for service within the last three months but declined recommended repairs,” said spokesman Max Muncey. “We are letting them know that we currently have their necessary parts in stock and can complete their service without added costs from potential tariff increases.”

As a result of the outreach, the dealership has seen a rise in service work across all its locations. This effort was affirmed by Chadwick, who shared that this is a prime opportunity for repair shops to convince customers to catch up on repair work they may be neglecting.

“How many times does a customer decline a repair and now they’re sitting at home and wondering, ‘Man, should I get this work done?’ Go get it done today because we could be having some different conversations in a couple of weeks,” said Chadwick.