Business surges at auto repair shops as Minnesotans try to make vehicles last longer

As new and used car prices rise, some vehicle owners are turning to making the best of their current vehicles

Apr 12, 20220

Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune count

Mechanic Adam Schommer works on a car at Brausen Auto in Roseville. Auto repair shops are seeing business boom as car owners opt to fix them versus making a pricey new car or used car purchase.

Tim Curtis considered buying a new Chevrolet Silverado pickup last year, but the $58,000 price was more than the cost of his first house.

Since prices for used cars are also inflated, he decided to stop shopping and instead maintain his 2004 GMC Envoy and 2015 GMC Terrain. His largest repair in recent years at Brausen Auto in Roseville cost $1,200, which was for brakes and tires on the Envoy.

"The price of used cars has gone up so much, so it's more cost effective to keep my cars running and I know those cars, too, and what's been done," said Curtis, 64, of Maplewood.

https://www.startribune.com/business-surges-at-auto-repair-shops-as-minnesotans-try-to-make-vehicles-last-longer/600164074/