According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for motor vehicle body work are 253.36% higher in 2026 versus 1988 (a $50.67 difference in value).
Between 1988 and 2026:Motor vehicle body work experienced an average inflation rate of 3.38% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, motor vehicle body work costing $20 in the year 1988 would cost $70.67 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.69% during this same period, inflation for motor vehicle body work was higher.
In the year 1988: Pricing changed by 5.25%, which is above the average yearly change for motor vehicle body work during the 1988-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1988 (4.08%), inflation for motor vehicle body work was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Motor vehicle body work, over time, for $20 beginning in 1988. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | $20.00 | 5.25% |
| 1989 | $21.16 | 5.81% |
| 1990 | $22.03 | 4.10% |
| 1991 | $22.74 | 3.23% |
| 1992 | $23.32 | 2.53% |
| 1993 | $23.97 | 2.82% |
| 1994 | $24.89 | 3.83% |
| 1995 | $25.76 | 3.48% |
| 1996 | $26.92 | 4.49% |
| 1997 | $28.02 | 4.12% |
| 1998 | $29.09 | 3.82% |
| 1999 | $29.54 | 1.53% |
| 2000 | $30.44 | 3.06% |
| 2001 | $31.59 | 3.76% |
| 2002 | $32.36 | 2.44% |
| 2003 | $32.90 | 1.67% |
| 2004 | $33.76 | 2.61% |
| 2005 | $34.86 | 3.26% |
| 2006 | $36.44 | 4.53% |
| 2007 | $37.65 | 3.32% |
| 2008 | $38.86 | 3.23% |
| 2009 | $40.29 | 3.68% |
| 2010 | $41.24 | 2.35% |
| 2011 | $42.14 | 2.17% |
| 2012 | $42.95 | 1.93% |
| 2013 | $43.93 | 2.28% |
| 2014 | $45.06 | 2.58% |
| 2015 | $45.52 | 1.02% |
| 2016 | $46.62 | 2.42% |
| 2017 | $47.73 | 2.39% |
| 2018 | $49.07 | 2.81% |
| 2019 | $50.81 | 3.55% |
| 2020 | $52.63 | 3.58% |
| 2021 | $55.60 | 5.63% |
| 2022 | $62.56 | 12.53% |
| 2023 | $66.60 | 6.44% |
| 2024 | $67.62 | 1.54% |
| 2025 | $69.60 | 2.93% |
| 2026 | $70.67 | 1.54%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Motor vehicle body work:
| Year | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 60.500 | 63.533 | 70.517 | 79.417 | 87.025 | 94.942 | 100.492 | 104.592 | 108.758 | 112.117 | 117.225 | 123.375 | 130.542 | 135.892 | 140.283 | 143.833 | 147.892 | 153.558 | 158.900 | 166.033 | 172.867 | 179.467 | 182.208 | 187.783 | 194.850 | 199.600 | 202.942 | 208.242 | 215.033 | 224.767 | 232.233 | 239.732 | 248.548 | 254.398 | 259.930 | 264.941 | 270.976 | 277.958 | 280.793 | 287.580 | 294.463 | 302.730 | 313.465 | 324.686 | 342.961 | 385.940 | 410.813 | 417.150 | 429.360 | 435.955 |