Shop business
EV training is the single biggest investment shop owners are making in 2026
Survey of 412 independent shops: 68% are sending at least one tech to certification this year.
Tools
Scan tool buyer's guide: what actually matters in 2026
Bidirectional control, OE software access, and the warranty fine print.
Diagnostics
Fuel-trim faults: a faster diagnostic flow
How a 25-year tech in Houston cut his diag time in half.
Markets
Editor's pick
Pricing
Labor rate survey: median shop now charges $148/hr
Independent shops pushed rates higher in 2025 — but the spread between top and bottom quartiles widened to $62/hr.
Equipment
Alignment racks worth the capex: a 5-year ROI breakdown
At $148/hr and 2 alignments per day, the math on a new rack closes faster than most shop owners expect.
Supply
Parts availability is improving, but timing diagnostics still painful
OEM and aftermarket supply chains have mostly normalized — the new bottleneck is module programming delays.
Regulation
EPA
Right-to-repair update: 9 more states pass legislation in 2025
The legislative map is shifting toward independent shops — but OEM data access is still not uniformly available on newer platforms.
OSHA
Updated lift-inspection rules take effect Jan 1
OSHA's revised guidance on vehicle lift inspection frequency and documentation applies to all shops with employees — here is what changes.
Financing
Financing a new alignment rack or scan tool?
Equipment financing spreads the capex over the tool’s working life. Compare terms from vetted partners and see who fits your shop.
Featured this week Browse archive
Editor's pick
Pricing
Labor rate survey: median shop now charges $148/hr
Independent shops pushed rates higher in 2025 — but the spread between top and bottom quartiles widened to $62/hr.
EPA
Right-to-repair update: 9 more states pass legislation in 2025
The legislative map is shifting toward independent shops — but OEM data access is still not uniformly available on newer platforms.
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