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From 2008 through 2012, Consumer Expenditure Survey data show that households held on to their vehicles longer, increasing the average age of Americans’ cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. The Consumer Expenditure Survey also collects households’ spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs. This interactive chart allows users to explore vehicle maintenance and repair expenditures as these vehicles age. The expected expenditure amounts represent what owners of one or more vehicles might expect to pay for maintenance and repairs depending on the age of the vehicle.
In 2012, households owning vehicles less than 5 years old reported the lowest maintenance and repair costs per vehicle. Households with vehicles averaging 6–15 years of age paid $151 more per vehicle per year, on average, for maintenance and repair than did households with newer vehicles. Interestingly, average maintenance and repair expenditures per vehicle dropped 16 percent as the average age of the vehicle increased to 16-20 years and then dropped by another 5 percent as the vehicle’s age went beyond 20 years, before rising slightly as the age of the vehicle reached 26 years or older.
Series | Expenditure | New-5 yrs | 6-10 yrs | 11-15 yrs | 16-20 yrs | 21-25 yrs | 26+ yrs | Mean |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1-yr avg Estimate | Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives | $1.10 | $1.93 | $3.80 | $5.48 | $5.45 | $4.45 | $3.11 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives | 2% | 4% | 7% | 10% | 11% | 10% | 6% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Tires - purchased, replaced, installed | 101.75 | 122.37 | 92.05 | 69.89 | 46.88 | 43.02 | 98.31 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Tires - purchased, replaced, installed | 7% | 11% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 9% | 10% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Parts, equipment, and accessories | 15.32 | 24.12 | 32.19 | 34.07 | 29.93 | 132.27 | 29.98 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Parts, equipment, and accessories | 5% | 9% | 12% | 13% | 14% | 16% | 10% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle audio & video equipment | 2.75 | 2.54 | 3.25 | 1.1 | 0.57 | 2.14 | 2.5 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Vehicle audio & video equipment | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | 1% | Less than 0.5% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle products and cleaning services | 10.85 | 8.72 | 5.64 | 3.87 | 3.42 | 4.14 | 6.99 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. Vehicle products and cleaning services | 8% | 8% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 7% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Body work and painting | 29.04 | 18.17 | 16.45 | 14.87 | 22.8 | 16.11 | 18.53 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Body work and painting | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 1% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Clutch, transmission repair | 8.66 | 21.7 | 27.08 | 16.13 | 31.1 | 10.52 | 21.35 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Clutch, transmission repair | Less than 0.5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 3% | 1% | 1% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Brake work, including adjustments | 25.48 | 48.75 | 44.81 | 29.58 | 30.66 | 17.02 | 40.82 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Brake work, including adjustments | 3% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 6% | 6% | 6% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Repair to steering or front-end | 6.65 | 17.35 | 16.51 | 16.96 | 11.54 | 17.91 | 15.62 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Repair to steering or front-end | Less than 0.5% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Repair to engine cooling system | 3.78 | 8.99 | 21.43 | 10.31 | 14.01 | 11.8 | 12.83 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Repair to engine cooling system | 1% | 1% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 2% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Motor tune-up | 30.33 | 37.81 | 42.25 | 32.69 | 33.57 | 23.72 | 37.18 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Motor tune-up | 4% | 6% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 5% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Lube, oil change, and oil filters | 63.75 | 65.54 | 50.32 | 36.21 | 30.16 | 25.36 | 54.11 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Lube, oil change, and oil filters | 41% | 47% | 40% | 31% | 28% | 24% | 41% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation | 13.21 | 15.60 | 12.29 | 11.15 | 11.08 | 4.52 | 13.22 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation | 4% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 4% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Shock absorber, replacement | 0.62 | 4.73 | 6.45 | 1.96 | 7.97 | 1.37 | 4.51 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Shock absorber, replacement | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | 1% | Less than 0.5% | 1% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Repair tires and other repair work | 25.98 | 41.87 | 32.83 | 26.14 | 31.93 | 18.84 | 34.16 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Repair tires and other repair work | 5% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 7% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle air conditioning repair | 1.38 | 14.92 | 11.97 | 13.47 | 5.47 | 7.16 | 11.7 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Vehicle air conditioning repair | Less than 0.5% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 2% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Exhaust system repair | 1.62 | 6.71 | 12.49 | 10.43 | 4.45 | 4.9 | 8.34 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Exhaust system repair | Less than 0.5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Electrical system repair | 2.20 | 17.15 | 23.52 | 17.03 | 13.48 | 11.63 | 17.22 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Electrical system repair | 1% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Motor repair, replacement | 13.68 | 39.89 | 56.54 | 69.41 | 58.16 | 81.83 | 48.02 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Motor repair, replacement | 1% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 3% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Auto repair service policy | 18.41 | 9.12 | 4.09 | 1.94 | 4.06 | 2.94 | 7.23 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Auto repair service policy | 1% | 1% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% |
1-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle insurance | 795.37 | 635.68 | 549.38 | 502.22 | 446.48 | 384.63 | 593.91 |
1-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Vehicle insurance | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
3-yr avg Estimate | Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives | 0.94 | 1.65 | 3.71 | 5.30 | 4.18 | 4.31 | 2.83 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives | 2% | 4% | 8% | 11% | 10% | 11% | 6% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Tires - purchased, replaced, installed | 88.75 | 112.54 | 84.23 | 65.01 | 57.69 | 39.65 | 91.13 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Tires - purchased, replaced, installed | 7% | 11% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 8% | 10% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Parts, equipment, and accessories | 15.8 | 23.51 | 29.25 | 37.66 | 33.23 | 76.16 | 27.77 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Parts, equipment, and accessories | 5% | 9% | 11% | 14% | 14% | 17% | 10% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle audio & video equipment | 4.26 | 2.08 | 2.32 | 1.74 | 0.89 | 1.59 | 2.31 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Vehicle audio & video equipment | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | 1% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | 1% | Less than 0.5% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle products and cleaning services | 9.59 | 7.08 | 4.18 | 3.25 | 2.36 | 2.62 | 5.70 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. Vehicle products and cleaning services | 7% | 7% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 6% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Body work and painting | 21.33 | 18.98 | 16.1 | 14.12 | 14.28 | 13.08 | 17.43 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Body work and painting | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Clutch, transmission repair | 5.46 | 22.52 | 27.05 | 19.46 | 19.03 | 11.99 | 21.14 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Clutch, transmission repair | Less than 0.5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Brake work, including adjustments | 27.12 | 49.77 | 43.93 | 33.51 | 26.26 | 16.81 | 41.54 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Brake work, including adjustments | 3% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 6% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Repair to steering or front-end | 4.68 | 14.71 | 17.25 | 19.88 | 8.05 | 13.12 | 14.66 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Repair to steering or front-end | Less than 0.5% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Repair to engine cooling system | 4.73 | 12.23 | 20.71 | 15.64 | 13.14 | 9.92 | 14.36 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Repair to engine cooling system | 1% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 2% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Motor tune-up | 27.9 | 39.30 | 37.02 | 28.83 | 27.68 | 21.84 | 35.06 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Motor tune-up | 4% | 6% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Lube, oil change, and oil filters | 61.74 | 60.67 | 46.73 | 35.06 | 27.61 | 21.55 | 51.02 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Lube, oil change, and oil filters | 41% | 46% | 39% | 31% | 26% | 24% | 40% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation | 11.79 | 13.43 | 13.42 | 11.64 | 7.09 | 3.57 | 12.52 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation | 4% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 4% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Shock absorber, replacement | 0.85 | 4.47 | 5.35 | 3.54 | 3.11 | 0.60 | 4.05 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Shock absorber, replacement | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | 1% | 1% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Repair tires and other repair work | 27.8 | 37.79 | 36.93 | 31.35 | 31.35 | 24.88 | 34.98 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Repair tires and other repair work | 6% | 8% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 7% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle air conditioning repair | 3.94 | 10.19 | 11.70 | 10.11 | 9.39 | 5.59 | 9.77 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Vehicle air conditioning repair | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Exhaust system repair | 2.51 | 5.91 | 12.49 | 8.77 | 10.18 | 7.76 | 8.11 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Exhaust system repair | Less than 0.5% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Electrical system repair | 7.43 | 19.58 | 24.72 | 20.61 | 20.86 | 11.28 | 19.72 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Electrical system repair | 1% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 3% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Motor repair, replacement | 8.65 | 40.6 | 55.74 | 61.04 | 54.83 | 49.63 | 44.88 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Motor repair, replacement | 1% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 3% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Auto repair service policy | 23.49 | 11.04 | 3.61 | 2.19 | 1.93 | 7.52 | 8.64 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Auto repair service policy | 1% | 1% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | 1% |
3-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle insurance | 771.52 | 624.52 | 531.11 | 464.08 | 409.49 | 361.66 | 577.89 |
3-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Vehicle insurance | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
5-yr avg Estimate | Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives | 0.90 | 1.68 | 3.52 | 4.91 | 4.23 | 4.18 | 2.65 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives | 2% | 4% | 8% | 11% | 10% | 12% | 6% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Tires - purchased, replaced, installed | 85.55 | 103.43 | 77.87 | 60.44 | 55.7 | 44.26 | 85.35 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Tires - purchased, replaced, installed | 8% | 10% | 10% | 9% | 9% | 8% | 10% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Parts, equipment, and accessories | 14.89 | 22.79 | 27.87 | 36.65 | 36.52 | 62.03 | 26.27 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Parts, equipment, and accessories | 5% | 9% | 11% | 14% | 15% | 17% | 10% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle audio & video equipment | 2.73 | 1.14 | 1.59 | 1.49 | 0.90 | 0.88 | 1.51 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Vehicle audio & video equipment | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle products and cleaning services | 8.67 | 6.31 | 3.86 | 2.98 | 2.22 | 2.31 | 5.26 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. Vehicle products and cleaning services | 7% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 5% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Body work and painting | 21.82 | 19.54 | 15.07 | 13.49 | 15.08 | 14.61 | 17.54 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Body work and painting | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 1% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Clutch, transmission repair | 6.10 | 22.17 | 28.16 | 19.67 | 20.25 | 18.39 | 21.35 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Clutch, transmission repair | 1% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Brake work, including adjustments | 28.15 | 50.78 | 42.77 | 34.2 | 23.78 | 20.7 | 41.78 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Brake work, including adjustments | 4% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 6% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Repair to steering or front-end | 6.24 | 14.43 | 15.81 | 17.15 | 8.89 | 10.63 | 13.78 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Repair to steering or front-end | 1% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Repair to engine cooling system | 4.56 | 12.71 | 20.95 | 16.49 | 15.90 | 12.34 | 14.61 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Repair to engine cooling system | 1% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 2% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Motor tune-up | 28.05 | 37.95 | 35.22 | 27.69 | 24.4 | 22.05 | 33.75 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Motor tune-up | 5% | 6% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Lube, oil change, and oil filters | 62.8 | 57.68 | 44.37 | 33.22 | 26.92 | 22.57 | 49.59 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Lube, oil change, and oil filters | 44% | 46% | 38% | 31% | 26% | 24% | 40% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation | 10.27 | 12.2 | 11.71 | 9.38 | 6.10 | 3.87 | 11.05 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation | 4% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 3% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Shock absorber, replacement | 0.87 | 4.09 | 5.12 | 3.26 | 2.88 | 1.52 | 3.76 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Shock absorber, replacement | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | 1% | 1% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Repair tires and other repair work | 26.99 | 39.77 | 33.57 | 31.53 | 26.59 | 23.38 | 34.42 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Repair tires and other repair work | 6% | 8% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 6% | 7% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle air conditioning repair | 2.79 | 9.26 | 10.52 | 10.25 | 8.85 | 4.21 | 8.77 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Vehicle air conditioning repair | Less than 0.5% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Exhaust system repair | 2.41 | 6.38 | 11.17 | 8.33 | 9.28 | 8.15 | 7.64 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Exhaust system repair | Less than 0.5% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Electrical system repair | 7.24 | 18.4 | 24.2 | 22.18 | 21.92 | 17.19 | 19.19 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Electrical system repair | 1% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Motor repair, replacement | 11.02 | 42.56 | 58.53 | 54.54 | 50.46 | 46.82 | 44.90 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Motor repair, replacement | 1% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 3% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Auto repair service policy | 26.19 | 10.58 | 3.65 | 1.98 | 3.76 | 7.98 | 9.26 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Auto repair service policy | 1% | 1% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | 1% |
5-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle insurance | 749.05 | 626.19 | 523.3 | 456.18 | 406.1 | 370.53 | 577.87 |
5-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Vehicle insurance | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
10-yr avg Estimate | Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives | 0.87 | 1.62 | 3.14 | 4.20 | 3.94 | 4.04 | 2.32 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and other additives | 3% | 5% | 8% | 11% | 11% | 13% | 7% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Tires - purchased, replaced, installed | 70.88 | 83.84 | 65.81 | 52.43 | 49.52 | 43.76 | 71.40 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Tires - purchased, replaced, installed | 7% | 11% | 10% | 9% | 10% | 9% | 10% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Parts, equipment, and accessories | 14.05 | 22.57 | 28.88 | 35.6 | 40.06 | 56.6 | 25.64 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Parts, equipment, and accessories | 6% | 10% | 13% | 15% | 17% | 19% | 11% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle audio & video equipment | 1.61 | 1.27 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.16 | 1.04 | 1.40 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Vehicle audio & video equipment | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle products and cleaning services | 4.85 | 3.82 | 2.52 | 1.9 | 1.54 | 1.99 | 3.31 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. Vehicle products and cleaning services | 4% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Body work and painting | 21.86 | 20.62 | 17.12 | 12.84 | 15.08 | 22.10 | 18.85 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Body work and painting | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Clutch, transmission repair | 8.34 | 25.05 | 31.01 | 23.78 | 20.63 | 20.75 | 23.59 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Clutch, transmission repair | 1% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Brake work, including adjustments | 26.43 | 46.25 | 39.42 | 31.11 | 23.84 | 21.65 | 38.27 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Brake work, including adjustments | 4% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 6% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Repair to steering or front-end | 4.73 | 12.9 | 15.62 | 14.36 | 7.4 | 12.09 | 12.27 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Repair to steering or front-end | 1% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Repair to engine cooling system | 4.74 | 13.64 | 19.52 | 15.48 | 13.06 | 12.32 | 13.95 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Repair to engine cooling system | 1% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 2% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Motor tune-up | 27.89 | 36.21 | 32.39 | 25.43 | 22.68 | 23.54 | 31.92 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Motor tune-up | 5% | 6% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 6% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Lube, oil change, and oil filters | 57.83 | 51.15 | 39.07 | 29.11 | 23.39 | 21.36 | 44.95 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Lube, oil change, and oil filters | 45% | 45% | 37% | 30% | 26% | 25% | 40% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation | 7.55 | 10.22 | 9.72 | 7.48 | 5.73 | 5.25 | 9.09 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Front-end alignment, wheel balance and rotation | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 3% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Shock absorber, replacement | 0.98 | 3.41 | 4.34 | 2.59 | 2.40 | 1.72 | 3.11 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Shock absorber, replacement | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | 1% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Repair tires and other repair work | 26.79 | 35.8 | 33.34 | 27.78 | 24.3 | 21.77 | 32.11 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Repair tires and other repair work | 7% | 8% | 8% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 8% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle air conditioning repair | 3.27 | 10.31 | 11.12 | 9.40 | 8.05 | 5.99 | 9.13 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Vehicle air conditioning repair | 1% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Exhaust system repair | 2.48 | 6.88 | 10.36 | 8.76 | 8.24 | 7.19 | 7.38 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Exhaust system repair | Less than 0.5% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Electrical system repair | 7.65 | 18.79 | 22.28 | 19.55 | 17.68 | 13.28 | 17.88 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Electrical system repair | 1% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Motor repair, replacement | 17.09 | 45.94 | 56.55 | 48.53 | 48.52 | 57.44 | 44.77 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Motor repair, replacement | 1% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 3% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Auto repair service policy | 17.31 | 8.15 | 3.23 | 1.54 | 2.88 | 5.03 | 7.31 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Auto repair service policy | 1% | 1% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | Less than 0.5% | 1% |
10-yr avg Estimate | Vehicle insurance | 745.57 | 625.88 | 512.46 | 441.97 | 399.24 | 356.11 | 580.78 |
10-yr avg Frequency | Freq. of Vehicle insurance | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Declining expenditures on routine maintenance, such as oil changes, tire repair or replacement, body work, brakework, front-end alignment, and vehicle cleaning, are associated with older vehicles. Motor tuneups, electrical system repairs, exhaust system repairs, engine cooling system repairs, and related fluid costs peak for vehicles in the 11- to 15-year age range and remain higher for vehicles older than 15 years. Of all expenditures, those for vehicle parts, equipment, and accessories increase most as vehicles age. Also, higher expenditures for motor repair and replacement are observed in vehicles 26 years and older. The higher expenditures associated with vehicles in that age range appear to be heavily influenced by owners of classic cars.
These data come from the Consumer Expenditure Survey program. The expenditure levels are not adjusted for changes in consumer prices. To learn more, see "Americans' aging autos" (HTML) (PDF), by Ryan Pfirrmann-Powell, Beyond the Numbers, May 2014.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Americans' aging autos at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2014/ted_20140509.htm (visited October 31, 2024).