Consumers seem to be seeking more value per dollar, as opposed to the lowest price 

LAS VEGAS – October 28, 2026 – Americans delayed $30 billion in maintenance on their vehicles in 2025, the most recent data available. It’s an astonishing number given the average age of a U.S. vehicle has stretched to 12.94 years. 

That’s worth noting because older vehicles generally need more work. In spite of that truism, the older their vehicle, the more likely consumers were to delay maintenance:

• Vehicles ages 0-3 years – delayed $1.86 billion in repairs in 2025;
• Vehicles ages 4-7 years – delayed $5.34 billion in repairs in 2025;
• Vehicles ages 8-11 years – delayed $6.34 billion in repairs in 2025; and
• Vehicles ages 12+ years – delayed $16.5 billion in repairs in 2025.

“Safety requirements mean some repairs, like brakes or worn tires, are not optional,” as Bill Hanvey and Emily Poladian co-wrote in a commentary for Real Clear Markets. “Even so, delayed maintenance on a valuable asset we depend on demonstrates the economic stress Americans feel is real.”

Value-seeking or cost savings?

One reason is that the costs for vehicle repair and maintenance have grown by an average of 6.1% for the last two years. Since most Americans are reliant on their vehicles to get around, many seem to be making hard choices. 

In a separate piece, Emily explains it this way:

“Tires are the quintessential example. Replacing tires with a set rated for 30,000 miles, as opposed to 70,000, reduces the momentary transaction cost but drives up the cost-per-mile in the long run.” 

She says examples like this are the “trend to watch” and pointed to a survey AAPEX conducted of U.S. aftermarket businesses. The survey found more than half (53%) of respondents have observed greater interest among consumers in lower-cost parts and services. 

However, respondents said quality (34%) was still the top influence for purchases, followed by price (25%) and availability (20%). 

“In other words, consumers, at the moment, are seeking more value per dollar, not the cheapest part,” Emily wrote. 

Sources of data

AAPEX parent organizations, the Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, produce two benchmark annual reports analyzing the automotive aftermarket, which is the data source for this blog post. A summary of some of the high-level findings is included in the 2026 AAPEX Media Guide.

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AAPEX 2026 will be held from Nov. 3-5, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at The Venetian Expo & AAPEX Forum. See the exhibitor prospectus for exhibiting details. Complimentary passes are available to the media; email: [email protected].

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