New federal inflation data shows that collision repair costs are rising significantly faster than everyday consumer expenses. For drivers, insurers, and repair facilities, the trend means higher repair bills, longer cycle times, and greater strain on the collision repair economy.
According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the All-Items Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.0% year-over-year in September 2025. However, over the same period, the overall category of Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair shows a 7.7% year-over-year increase, meaning automotive repair inflation continues to run at more than double the rate of overall consumer inflation. Diving deeper into the subcategories, Motor Vehicle Body Work ticked in at 5.4% and Motor Vehicle Repair by itself was at an 11.5% rate.2 This widening gap illustrates the disproportionate financial burden facing drivers.
CCC’s Crash Course Q3 data shows that parts costs continue to be a major driver of repair inflation, with average part prices rising 4.4% year-over-year in March–May 2025 and accelerating to 5.0% in June and 6.6% in July.1 This acceleration is due to distributors’ supply of pre-tariff inventory dwindling with newer, higher-cost parts coming in. When the cost of parts drives overall repair inflation, limiting competition in the parts market creates predictable consequences: higher severity, higher claim costs, and greater financial strain on consumers and insurers alike.
The ABPA’s consumer research report, High Costs, Hard Hits, further illustrates the real-world impact on drivers. Survey data revealed that 75% of consumers reported higher collision repair bills, 44% experienced delays linked to parts availability, and 75% support expanding access to alternative parts to reduce cost and speed repairs. When both industry data and consumer sentiment align, the message is clear: more competition and more choice are needed in the collision parts market.
The ABPA maintains that high-quality aftermarket parts are a critical tool to increase competition, reduce repair costs, and improve outcomes for all stakeholders. When repairers and insurers have access to multiple parts options, repairs move faster, consumers save money, and the industry operates more efficiently.
To explore these findings in greater depth, read the full ABPA research report:
ABPA Consumer Research Report – High Costs, Hard Hits:
https://www.autobpa.com/abpa-consumer-research-report-2025/
Footnotes
1 CCC Crash Course Q3 2025
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics (CPI Release, September 2025),
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.pdf
