Truck maintenance costs showed a slight decline at the end of 2025, but industry data suggests the overall trend remains upward. According to the latest Decisiv/TMC Parts & Labor Service Benchmark Report, combined parts and labor expenses dropped 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2025. However, when viewed over a longer period, repair costs for trucking fleets continue to climb.
The quarterly decline followed a 3.8% increase in the previous quarter, highlighting how volatile maintenance costs can be. Although fleets experienced a temporary easing of expenses, the broader trend still reflects significant cost pressure across the industry.
Quarterly Cost Changes
The report revealed that both labor and parts costs declined during the fourth quarter. Specifically, labor costs dropped 2.6%, while parts costs declined 0.4% compared with the previous quarter.
Even so, year-over-year data tells a different story. Overall maintenance expenses increased 2% compared with the fourth quarter of 2024. Much of that increase came from higher parts prices, which rose 3.7% year over year. Meanwhile, labor costs slightly decreased by 0.4% during the same period.
Therefore, although fleets saw a short-term improvement in late 2025, long-term maintenance expenses continue to rise.
Long-Term Maintenance Costs Continue to Climb
When analysts examined data over a six-year period, the upward trend became even more apparent. Since early 2020, combined parts and labor costs have increased 27.4%.
Initially, labor shortages and post-pandemic inflation drove many of these increases. However, more recently, rising parts prices have become the primary factor pushing maintenance costs higher.
For example, several vehicle systems experienced substantial cost increases over the past year:
- Rear axle components (VMRS 022): up 20.6% overall
- Wheels, rims, hubs, and bearings (VMRS 018): up 15.5% overall
- Filter kits (VMRS 147): up 11.9% overall
In addition, the largest long-term increase occurred in cab and sheet metal repairs, where combined parts and labor costs rose 63.8% between 2020 and 2025.
These figures illustrate how rising component prices continue to influence overall maintenance spending.
Digital Tools Improving Efficiency
Despite rising costs, many fleets are finding ways to manage maintenance expenses more effectively. In particular, fleets are increasingly using data analytics and digital maintenance tools to improve efficiency.
The Decisiv benchmark report uses data from the company’s Service Relationship Management platform, which tracks millions of repair and maintenance events. These records are categorized using the Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS) coding system developed by the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council.
VMRS codes allow fleets to analyze repair patterns, identify problem areas, and compare performance against industry benchmarks. However, entering these codes manually can be difficult in busy maintenance shops.
As a result, Decisiv has introduced machine learning tools that automatically analyze service records and assign VMRS codes. This automation helps fleets better organize repair data and gain clearer insights into maintenance trends.
Data and Technology Becoming Essential
Industry experts say digital maintenance systems are becoming essential for modern fleet operations. As trucks become more complex and operating costs rise, fleets increasingly rely on data to manage repairs, inventory, and technician productivity.
Additionally, digitizing maintenance records enables fleets to adopt emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. These tools help identify potential failures earlier, reduce downtime, and improve overall fleet performance.
Ultimately, while repair costs remain elevated, fleets that use data-driven maintenance strategies appear better equipped to manage rising expenses and keep trucks operating efficiently.
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