Mechanics facing a shortage of auto parts

LOS ANGELES – If your mechanic tells you he can’t find certain car parts and blames the COVID-19 pandemic, that may very well be true.

We have received emails at FOX 11 from viewers telling us that they have been waiting for months for auto parts, even for the newer models.

What started as a shortage of computer chips that seriously affected automotive production now includes parts including wire harnesses, engine parts, and even glass and tires.

There is a labor shortage, from people unloading cargo from ships sitting outside the Port of Los Angeles, to truckers making deliveries, to people working in factories who rebuild engines, to people who manufacture the parts. So when you drop your car off at the mechanic, it may take some time to get it back.

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It doesn’t end there either. Try to find a rental vehicle at a reasonable price. Vehicles are scarce, so you will pay more and you may not be able to keep them longer than you expect.

So, let’s say the mechanics you see in our article, if there’s ever been a time to make sure you’re keeping up with your vehicle’s maintenance, this is it. Don’t jump on the oil change; make sure the filters are cleaned and replaced; and don’t forget that radiator fluid.

Maintaining your vehicle is essential, says Jessy Rivas of Minitek Auto Repair, because we don’t know when this situation will improve.

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