Motorists Keeping Cars Longer, Safety Inspections, Compliance Calendars

January 8, 2026

Vehicle Pricing, Motorists Keeping Their Cars Longer

The price of consumer goods seems to be ever-increasing in nearly every market segment, but has been especially impactful for the automotive industry.

New car pricing has soared in recent years. New technologies, infotainment, engine management software, and other features only add to the total cost of a new vehicle. And, of course, government mandates, labor and material costs, inflationary factors, tariffs, and the related also contribute to a vehicle’s final pricing. 

As such, it should come as no surprise that it was recently reported that one in five American car consumers is now paying over $1,000 a month in vehicle car payments. Adding to this phenomenon, it was reported in September 2025 that over twenty percent of consumers who finance a vehicle are stretching those payments out over 84 months (or 7 years). Alarmingly, the number of buyers in that predicament has increased 5% from a year earlier.

This news is not altogether surprising, but it is still shocking. According to car-buying website Edmunds.com, the average new car financing amount is approximately $42,000, with an average down payment of over $6,000.  It doesn’t seem like all that long ago that such a pricing dynamic was comfortably in the realm of luxury car buying. What’s more, according to market watchers, higher prices will likely mean more consumers will choose leasing over traditional financing in the years ahead, with the leasing share of the market expected to increase 5% from 2025 to 2035.

On the other end of the market, new car pricing is also affecting used car pricing. Recent reports indicate that average used car prices were more expensive than a year earlier. This makes sense, as an uptick in new car prices could logically mean that consumers who cannot afford (or justify) the price of a new vehicle will turn to the used car market to meet their needs. If demand is high enough, any hike in consumer need will naturally increase used vehicle pricing on the secondary market. 

We’ve read multiple reports that motorists are keeping their vehicles longer than ever before. Car leasing has also created a predictable routine amongst a sizable percentage of automotive consumers in which vehicles are regularly turned in every two or three years; thereby replenishing the used car market for drivers who may not be able to afford an all-new vehicle.

Where are we going with all of this? High car transactional prices and motorist keeping their vehicles longer means more opportunities to service patrons’ vehicles for a longer period of time. Even if a patron trades up their old jalopy for a newer off-lease vehicle, a customer driving an already-used (but new-to-them) vehicle will still give you a chance for regular maintenance.  

Nobody wants to spend more than they have to, but ordinary consumers may not realize what is needed to keep their car running well. They may also not realize what is needed to prevent more expensive repairs later. For example, ignoring a transmission service now may cost you much more later when internal parts begin to fail.  

Repair shop owners and staff need to remind patrons of the need for regular repairs and vehicle upkeep in order to extend the life of their vehicle. That can be done with emails and even “educational” pieces for consumers to read while they’re in your waiting room. If a particular brand or vehicle has a unique set of maintenance requirements (timing belts, transmission maintenance, etc), your staff should point out that an issue may be on the horizon if proper schedules aren’t kept.

Ultimately, the point to drive home amongst patrons is that putting money into a vehicle through ordinary maintenance and predictable repairs is an easier hit on the wallet than shouldering a record-high monthly payment for a new car purchase (or even a new car lease). That may not be an easy concept to convey in a quick discussion, but it is a reality for consumers to consider when organizing their own finances and needs.

Have you seen an uptick in older vehicles at your shop?  Are you taking any steps to remind your customers of these necessary repairs? Are you doing anything unique to reach these patrons — and has it worked?  Let us know!

Safety Inspections

Last August we touched on vehicle safety inspections as part of the regular emission inspection program and asked our members to report on anything alarming they have seen when vehicles were presented for inspection.

As you know, safety inspections were eliminated by Gov. Christie as part of cost-savings effort in 2010 (very little savings was actually delivered, much less than promised). Since that time, we have heard anecdotal (though not recorded and documented) stories of inspectors having no choice but to pass a vehicle that was clearly unsafe. The decline in upkeep has been alarming, as the previous “threat” of not getting their sticker renewed was enough to convince most consumers to have repairs done. Without that threat, more and more people are driving their cars until the wheels come off (literally in some cases).

This is obviously dangerous, and the more time that goes on, the worse those stories have been.

That noted, in order to make our case with lawmakers that reimposing safety inspections is necessary, we need to have documented, real-world examples to show them and challenge the status quo.

Since we asked members to keep their eyes peeled in August, we have received only a few examples of unsafe vehicles being presented for inspection. More is needed. And not only with details and data, but with pictures (and video) to document what is legally being permitted on our roads.

Legislators love anecdotes! Send us some!

If you’d like to see safety inspections return, we need your help to convince Trenton that it is necessary.  And that means memorializing what you’re finding at your shops for legislators to see firsthand what is passing on our roads.

Stories from actual repair shops are an essential part of building support. Please email Eric@njgca.org or call 732-256-9646 with any stories or data you have!

Lastly, when the law was changed, NJGCA created and sent members a large poster reminding repair shop customers of their requirements under the law. You can view the poster below, and we are happy to mail a 24x36in poster to any member who would like one free of charge, just reply to this email with your address!

Right to Repair Up For Committee Hearing in DC

Finally, in a repair heavy news week, we learned that the federal Right to Repair bill be up in Committee on Tuesday. Even if you already have, please take a moment and send an email to your member of Congress and let them know this bill will help your business! Our system has messages pre-drafted, you only need to input your name and email and hit send. One of our Senators, Cory Booker, also joined the bill as a co-sponsor a few months ago.

Click HERE to send a message. 

Reminder: 2026 Service Station Compliance Calendars & Compliance Review

A new year brings with it new beginnings. It also gives us the opportunity to evaluate what has worked, what needs improving, and the possibility of changing direction.

In the spirit of starting the year off on a positive note, we wanted to pass along the 2026 New Jersey Fuel Dispensing Facilities Compliance Calendar.  

You can find the calendar file hosted on our website by CLICKING HERE.  

As you know, the DEP publishes a new version of the calendar each year to help station owners stay current on their compliance obligations and exercise best practices at their locations.  It is an essential tool, and we encourage our members to use it daily. It is full of useful reminders, procedures, and related details.  

You should print out a copy, record the required information, and keep it close on hand.  Using the calendar isn’t only a good habit to have, it will also save you from possible headaches and costly penalties if DEP comes to your station inquiring after your environmental compliance. 

Moreover, we also thought to give you a bit of New Year homework — Don’t worry, there won’t be a deadline or a test! 

Rather, the start of 2026 should give all members pause to revisit past practices, your satisfaction with a particular service, and ways to enhance business processes. 

In other words, give yourself time to allow for a 2025 Compliance Review.

General environmental compliance is one of those areas that should be revisited regularly, especially as clashes with DEP can be expensive and exhausting. 

Your (self-imposed) homework assignment for the start of 2026 is to take a month or two, look back at 2025, and review how your compliance efforts can be improved upon. Taking just a little bit of time now can help you avoid all kinds of headaches as the year progresses.

For instance, you may want to consider:

-Were you unhappy with your outside compliance contractor and need to find a new one? 

-Will you need the assistance of a good LSRP for an upcoming project? 

-Do you need to investigate pulling/replacing tanks and are in need of a trusted installer? 

-Have you had specific issues with lines, dispensers, sumps, or any other station hardware? 

The questions and scenarios are unlimited. But now is the time to go back, take stock, and plan ahead. 

This might mean letting go of a service you’re unhappy with to take on a new outside consultant. It may mean looking for financing for a big project. Or just having someone give you a second opinion on what can be improved upon.

Regardless, take the time now to do the homework and avoid hiccups as the year unfolds. 

Please call or email Nick@njgca.org if you have any questions. 

Station for Sale

Location:
777 Hamburg Turnpike
Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442

Station features: 

• Corner location with four 6,000 gallon tanks (double wall fiberglass)
• Tanks were installed in 1998.
• 70,000 gallons of gasoline sales per month.
• Busy 2 Bay Garage, with small C-Store.

Interested in learning more? 

Contact Steve Hamparsumian with inquires! 
Cell: 201-832-5885 
Email: Steveabbcnj@gmail.com

Rack Averages

**Rack price average is the lowest since February 2021**

News Worth Knowing:

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