Have you had a hard time scheduling your vehicle for service? Are you trying to get an oil change or new brakes and you must wait longer than normal for an appointment? Unfortunately, you are not alone.
What is Happening?
During the pandemic, shortages in parts and labor caused many issues with the supply chain. Throughout this time, the auto industry was one of the hardest hit. With new inventory low and increased prices, car owners were forced to hang on to their vehicles longer than normal.
More Vehicles Need Service and Parts
Newer vehicles generally need regular maintenance like an oil change and tire rotation. With consumers keeping their cars instead of trading in for new ones, the need for repairs and maintenance due to wear and tear increased. Service departments and parts suppliers were unable to keep up. Parts manufacturers were forced to operate at significantly reduced capacity due to labor shortages resulting in production shutdowns.
Parts and Staff Shortages Lead to Delays
All across the nation, service departments may be backed up with a minimum of a month’s wait. It has been a struggle to acquire parts in a timely manner. In some cases where a specific part is needed, the delay could be a few months. It’s not uncommon that parts are unavailable for a routine brake job and other standard repairs. Even more challenging are electronic parts such as heated seats or infotainment repairs.
Service staff are forced to give the bad news regarding delays to customers, which can be frustrating for both parties. Technicians are working hard to keep up with the demand. In many cases, technicians start a job and then can’t complete it due to the inability to source a required part. The added stress and pressure have led to burnout, causing even more labor shortages. Many technicians have left the profession and there are not enough workers entering the profession to meet the demand.
What Does the Future Hold?
Things are finally looking up. Improvement has been felt in the availability of parts and the shipping chains. Staffing levels are improving and our educators are seeing the need to promote the trades. Our best advice at this point is to continue with regular repairs and maintenance of your vehicle. It is critical to be proactive with the health of your car. We recommend that you plan ahead as much as possible. Rather than waiting until the day before you want an oil change, check when you normally get it done and call in a month beforehand.
When budgeting your car repairs and maintenance, keep our Service Now, Pay Later option in mind. You can pay for your service purchases over time, easing the stress of figuring out how you will pay for the expense.
We are here to assist you as best as we can. We understand your concerns when you can’t get your auto fixed for a few weeks. Our staff will do their best to get you scheduled, order the parts you need and send you on your way. Give us a call or schedule online to find the best time to fit your calendar.
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