During the recession, many drivers chose to focus on repairing and maintaining their current vehicles instead of trading them in for newer models, and this trend is continuing.

The Automotive Aftermaket Industry Association reports that last year, the auto repair industry's sales were roughly $36 billion, which is 10.5 percent higher than in 2007, before the recession, according to The Los Angeles Times. The agency estimates that sales will increase another 5 percent this year alone.

"We are busier than a son of a gun, and it's stressful as all hell," Bob Little, the owner of Ed Little Auto Service, named after his father, told told the news source. "The past three years have been the best three years ever. The economy has not hurt me at all – at all. They'll put a couple thousand dollars into a car before they buy a new one."

One way for drivers to save money on repairs that can be costly is to purchase an extended warranty, which can cover the cost of everything from tune-ups to major repairs.