LAS VEGAS – September 19, 2025 – The prolonged shortage of auto technicians is liable to grow as demand for repair and maintenance services rises. 

Demand is rising because Americans are delaying buying new cars and hanging onto their existing cars longer. Analysts expect this trend to continue, in part due to the following factors:

• Interest rates remain high;
• Credit scores are falling;
• The average MSRP has topped $51,000;
• Car payments are topping $1,000 a month;
• New car loans are underwater;
• New cars are adding wireless subscription fees; 

We can see this trend unfold in industry benchmarks. For example, the average age of the 291 million cars and light trucks in the U.S. is 12.8 years in 2025. That’s up from an average of 11.9 years of age in 2024. 

Simply stated, older cars generally need more work, so it’s a good bet that demand for vehicle service will increase. Fewer technicians facing more demand will, in turn, drive up repair costs, increase waiting times for maintenance and potentially reduce the choice consumers have in service stations.  

EV owners are feeling this pain now 

A recent survey found just 28% of EV owners were able to get a same-day appointment, down from 40% last year. More of this is likely to follow as more and more EVs are coming out of warranty and entering the aftermarket.

It may well be a harbinger of what’s to come for owners of traditional internal combustion vehicles soon, too. A little more than 80% of the total repair capacity in the U.S. lies in the aftermarket. Without a pipeline of qualified technicians, they won’t be able to repair cars at the same time, or the same price point, to which Americans are accustom.

Auto Care Association CEO Bill Hanvey addresses this challenge in a recent opinion piece contributed to Wards Auto. He says the problem is solvable and offers three primary ways we, as an automotive aftermarket community, can address the shortfall.

1. Change the perception of auto techs 

“Today, every vehicle is composed of a unique array of thousands of parts that require a combination of sophisticated diagnostic equipment, training and experience to maintain and repair. The skills and knowledge to perform this work are challenging. This presents an opportunity for young people, or those considering a change, to embark on a rewarding career.”

2. Encourage students to pursue a career in the trades

“We should redouble our efforts to provide shop classes at the high school level. Such programs raise awareness of the opportunity for those interested in attending vocational or trade schools. Further, we should encourage students to consider applying to vocational schools to kickstart a viable career.”

3. Mirror the financial resources afforded to a four-year degree for the trades

“Like all trades, future auto technicians should have access to the same financial resources available to pursue their careers as traditional college students. This means developing ways for trade-school students to access scholarships and federal financial aid. Likewise, apprentice programs should match those for college at the state and federal levels.”

Please consider reading the full piece on Wards Auto: Jobs for auto techs there for the taking.

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