Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?

The federal producer price index for new alternators, generators and regulators rose 20.1% from December 2019 to August 2026, while the consumer price index for motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together, rose 55.2% (BLS, national).

Prices of new alternators, generators and regulators, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair

What it shows: Motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together is the largest at +55.2%, followed by New alternators, generators and regulators at +20.1%; the smallest shown is All motor vehicle parts at +17.4%.

Source: BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU1412051422); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row · file downloaded August 2026

Data and chart by CalcScrape: Alternator Voltage Regulator Replacement