In the past two decades, though, Detroit’s automakers and their foreign competitors have dramatically improved quality and reduced defects. The most trouble-plagued cars today are still far more reliable than the best cars of 20 years ago.
It’s a boon for automakers, whose warranty costs are lower, and good news for customers. But it is taking a toll on the service end of the auto business. "They’re just not breaking like they used to," Carr said.
Some dealers and garages are laying off technicians because of the drop in business; others are trying to offset the losses by staying open later, or by specializing in fixing today’s high-tech, computerized vehicle systems.
Nationally, service and parts sales fell from $85 billion in 2005 to $80.5 billion in 2006, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. And sales of parts and accessories for autos still under warranty dropped slightly in the first quarter of this year to 17.4% of total sales from 17.8% in 2006.
The days of cars marooned in the breakdown lane and several-day waits for overworked mechanics are long gone. J.D. Power and Associates’ latest survey of long-term vehicle dependability found that quality problems have fallen 20% since 2003.
At Corky’s Car Clinic in Brighton, business is off 20% in the past three years, said owner Bob Corcoran, a mechanic for 27 years.
Customers used to bring their cars in for a tuneup every 30,000 miles or so. Now, many newer models can go without one for up to 80,000 miles. And, parts that had to be changed every 30,000 miles last three times longer. Many automakers now recommend oil changes every 7,500 miles, up from 5,000.
Corcoran laid off an auto technician due to the lack of work. "Business is not what it has been, that’s for sure," he said.
As repair business dwindles, the auto service industry is entering a new era of high technology.
With cars today packed with more computer power than NASA’s first lunar module, electronic gremlins are replacing knocking engines and squeaky brakes as the most common headaches.
"If technicians keep up with training and education, they will always be in business," Taylor said.
