"It's making more financial sense for consumers to repair older vehicles instead of purchasing new ones where they would have to worry about expensive monthly car payments," Lapps said.

The uptick in auto repairs is evident at the more than 400 independently owned shops in Arizona, said Luz A. Rubio, executive director of the Automotive Service Association of Arizona.

"All of our shops are getting busier," said Rubio. "Our customers are getting essential work done, like repairs ... not getting small dents fixed."

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