IMR Survey: Tariffs Impact Repair Shops in 2025

IMR, a leader in automotive aftermarket research, surveyed 500 general repair shops in April 2025 to assess the effects of recent tariffs on their operations, pricing strategies, and supply chains. The results reveal a mixed landscape with significant size-based variations.

Business Operations Affected by Tariffs

Overall, 38.6% of shops reported some impact from tariffs, with the remainder (59.3%) experiencing no effect. Cost increases were the most cited issue, affecting 38.0% of shops, particularly those with 8+ bays (73.7%). Larger shops (4-7 bays) also noted cost pressures (45.4%), while smaller shops (1-3 bays) reported a lower rate (16.0%). Other changes impacted 1.0% of shops, with no significant issues like part unavailability or lower customer demand noted (all below 1.0%).

Pricing Strategies Shift Due to Tariffs

Tariffs influenced pricing for 40.7% of shops, with 36.8% raising product prices due to cost increases—most prevalent among 8+ bay shops (70.2%). Larger shops (4-7 bays) followed at 43.5%, while smaller shops (1-3 bays) saw 16.6%. A smaller 2.6% absorbed costs to maintain prices, and 0.4% lost customers due to price changes, with no influence reported by 59.1% of shops overall.

Supply Chain Challenges Emerge

Supply chain effects were reported by 26.0% of shops, with higher shipping costs impacting 20.4%—a notable 63.2% among 8+ bay shops, 21.4% for 4-7 bays, and 5.5% for 1-3 bays. Part shortages affected 2.4%, and shifts in customer purchasing behavior impacted 3.1%, with larger shops (4-7 bays) feeling these effects more (4.2% and 4.3%, respectively). The majority (73.0%) reported no supply chain issues, with smaller shops (1-3 bays) at 87.8%.

Regional and Size Insights

The data highlights disparities by shop size: larger shops (8+ bays) were hit hardest, with 73.7% facing operational costs, 70.2% adjusting prices, and 63.2% dealing with shipping costs. Smaller shops (1-3 bays) showed resilience, with 81.2% and 87.8% reporting no impact on operations and supply chains, respectively. These findings suggest tariffs may disproportionately challenge larger operations with greater part volumes. Alternatively, larger shops may simply be more aware of pricing impacts based on volume and reporting practices.

While tariffs have not universally disrupted independent repair shops, cost increases and pricing adjustments are significant concerns, especially for larger facilities. IMR remains committed to tracking these evolving tariff trends to provide timely insights in an ever-shifting landscape.