LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – With garages full of vehicles in need of repairs every single day, mechanics say they know the cost it takes for Michigan drivers to maintain their vehicles.
“We’re seeing anywhere between 30 and 40% more cost to repair your car,” said Liskey’s Auto and Truck Service Owner Jerry Carpenter. “The price of tires are up 40 to 50%.”
Carpenter said inflation is putting pressure on all sides of the auto repair industry, whether it’s a simple dented rim, or a full transmission replacement. But he said Michigan roads could take some of the blame for expensive repairs.
“We do see a lot of needs, under car suspension repairs that’s needed on these cars driving on Michigan roads,” he told News 10.
Carpenter isn’t the only one who’s found lacking infrastructure to be the driving force behind an uptick in repair needs.
A recent report from national transportation research nonprofit TRIP revealed that Michigan drivers are paying a total of $17 billion each year in repair costs.
Lansing’s drivers are being hit particularly hard with an average $1,861 spent on repairs each year; researchers said that figure has been traced back to the poor condition of local roads.
“In the Lansing area, the report finds that 40% of major roads are rated in poor condition and another 16% are rated in mediocre position,” said Rockey Moretti, TRIP’s director of policy and research.
Although road and bridge conditions were found to be in rough state, the TRIP report also noted recent increases in road and bridge repair investment, including millions of dollars set aside in the 2025 state budget.
However, transportation officials are calling for even more funding to ease the burden for drivers.
“Our Governor is doing a great job with bonding programs and federal dollars, but those dry up shortly,” said Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association Executive Vice President Rob Coppersmith. “Then we’ll be on a slippery slope back to where we started.”
While state and local organizations try to fill a $4 million gap in infrastructure funding, Carpenter said, in the meantime, drivers could benefit from putting a small emergency fund away for any major repairs.
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