Supply chain shortages impact local auto repair shops

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – Business is still booming at Auto Tech. The Lexington vehicle repair and maintenance shop near Whitaker Bank Ball Park had several customers waiting for their maintenance work to be completed. Many more had to pick up their cars later that day. But business has been hampered somewhat by supply chain issues.

“We have seen shortages in all areas of auto parts, especially brake parts,” said Ed Tackett of Auto Tech.

Tackett and Auto Tech owner Robert Lindsey said the wait time for many parts to arrive can be up to a week or more. And while it’s not the fault of Auto Tech or other similar companies, it does add to customer frustration.

“Absolutely,” Tackett said when asked if it is becoming difficult to keep customers happy and to operate their vehicles safely and smoothly.

Lindsey says the auto sales business also exacerbates problems in repair shops. The used car inventory is very low and new cars are not coming out as quickly due to supply chain issues, so people are holding onto their vehicles more than ever.

“It’s an entity known to you,” Lindsey said of your own vehicle. “Even if he’s 100,000 or 200,000 miles, we see him all the time,” he continued.

This is not a bad thing, but it does increase the need for additional repair work. And this is where we run into problems.

“Things (parts) are scarce to a certain extent now, but it could get worse. So if you want to get your vehicle back to the best possible condition, it’s best to do it now, ”Lindsey said.

But if you have to wait for parts and don’t have the luxury of not using your vehicle while waiting, it could create dangerous situations on the roads.

“I can’t drive with faulty parts without some risk, but people have to come and go,” Tackett said.

It’s an issue that will persist, and while it’s somewhat manageable now, it might be more difficult to deal with soon.

“It seems to be taking longer every week, and I can see that in the future if it continues in this path without reduction, it will get bad,” Lindsey said.

Tackett said it was already as bad as he had ever seen it before and had been in the business for 35 years.