Preventative Maintenance Costs Increase in 2021

Oct. 28, 2021

The overall cost of preventative maintenance on vehicles across the country has risen a notable amount in 2021.

Oct. 28, 2021—The overall cost of preventative maintenance on vehicles across the country has risen a notable amount in 2021.

According to a report from Auto Rental News, average maintenance costs have risen between 3 and 5 percent. Lack of new vehicle inventory, a growing trend of OEMs using more expensive synthetic oils and rising labor rates were all cited as catalysts for the increase.

Though a 5 percent increase is substantial, Chad Christensen, senior strategic consultant for Element Fleet Management, said in the report the increase isn't unexpected.

"Consistent with recent years, PM average cost increases across most vehicle classes will likely continue in the 3% to 5% range annually, we’ve continued to see the PM trend of average cost increases across most vehicle classes annually in the 3% to 5% range, which is what we also expect for 2022.”