For the first time, the average cost of car repairs in Germany has crossed the €200 mark per hour.
According to new data from the German Insurance Association (GDV), drivers paid an average of €202 per hour in 2024 for mechanical, electrical and bodywork services. For painting jobs, the price was even higher – €220 per hour.
This represents an increase of nearly 8% compared to the previous year, pushing repair bills for drivers to unprecedented levels.
Prices rising faster than inflation
The GDV analysis, based on figures from the expert organization Dekra, looked at the period from 2017 to 2024.
In those seven years, average workshop rates rose by about 50%. By contrast, general inflation in Germany during the same period was only 24%.
The impact is also seen in insurance claims: the average liability damage per accident reached €4,250 in 2024, compared with around €2,700 in 2017 – an increase of nearly 60%.
Spare parts add to the bill
It is not only labor costs that are driving the surge. Replacement parts have also become significantly more expensive.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, prices for “maintenance and repair of vehicles” rose by almost 48% between January 2017 and December 2024.
The analysis also shows wide differences between manufacturers: BMW owners face the highest average repair costs.
Insurance premiums on the rise
With workshop rates and spare parts climbing steadily, insurers are also feeling the pressure. Since repair bills are the biggest cost factor in liability claims, car insurance premiums are rising as well.
For many drivers, this means not only higher repair costs but also more expensive policies – a double burden for German motorists.
