Common Auto Repairs
Sooner or later all vehicles will need to be repaired. This can vary hugely, from simple changes involved in routine maintenance work to complex engine parts. Note that the best way to try to avoid high repair costs is to keep your vehicle well maintained and regularly serviced. To get a better idea of what you’re likely to be in for, let’s take a look at some of the most common auto repairs and their average cost including parts and labor. This list is based upon official data from 2017 provided by CarMD, which publishes a vehicle health index from diagnostic trouble codes of over 7 million repairs.
Oxygen Sensor(s) Replacement - $238
The most common check engine light cause in 2017 was the oxygen sensor. This small device is an essential part of the car’s emission sensing system, it senses the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust and adjusts fuel consumption for maximum efficiency.
If your vehicle needs a new oxygen sensor, it may seem to be running just fine, but you’ll soon discover that it actually uses a lot more gas – up to 40% more in some cases. The cost of having this replacement fitted will soon pay for itself in gas costs alone, so get it seen to as soon as possible.
Ignition Coil(s) and Spark Plug(s) - $368
These two together were the second most common repair issue. Depending on the age of your vehicle this can be not too complex, or the coils could be in an awkward place, making it more complex. Older vehicles may require extra components. Ignition coils are needed to send electricity to the spark plugs which in turn ignite the gas.
While spark plug wear is completely normal and all spark plugs will need to be replaced over time, ignition coils may or may not need replacing several times over a vehicle’s lifetime. A little less frequently, just the ignition coil alone will need replacing, see below.
Catalytic Convertor Replacement - $1,271
Your catalytic convertor helps to clean up toxic emissions before they leave your vehicle. Apart from releasing toxic gases, a broken catalytic convertor will reduce fuel efficiency, power and acceleration. This is quite an expensive fix, but you will save on fuel once it’s done.
Loose Fuel Cap Tightening or Replacement - $26
Faulty gas caps are a common, low-cost repair that can cause your check engine light to come on. Although some people choose to change it themselves, getting it checked out by a mechanic can ensure that it is the only fault and their tools and expertise make for a quick repair. If your check engine light comes on, it’s worth checking the fuel cap before trying more expensive part replacements.
EVAP Purge Control Valve Replacement - $147
The evaporative emissions (EVAP) purge control valve features in the top five most common repairs. Purge valves allow vaporized gasoline to be contained and released into the engine, improving the quality of emissions and fuel efficiency. A faulty purge valve can cause your engine to misfire, failure to clear emissions tests and it may even damage gaskets through an uncontrolled release of pressure. It’s important to get purge control valves replaced before extra damage is caused which could lead to much higher expenses.
MAF Sensor Replacement - $341
Mass airflow sensors are electronic devices that work with the engine’s computer to determine the amount of fuel necessary for an optimal combustion. Getting your MAF sensor replaced will help you keep fuel costs down by improving fuel efficiency. This is one of the easiest replacements to make yourself, as it just involves removing the faulty sensor and replacing it with a new one. However, if you have any doubts, or your vehicle is one with a layout that makes MAF access more complicated, go to a certified mechanic.
Ignition Coil(s) Replacement - $218
Replacing the ignition coil alone is less frequently done. It is important not to delay getting this replaced as it could cause large amounts of unburned fuel to pass through the system, damaging your catalytic convertor in the process, requiring a replacement that is likely to cost over $1,000.
EVAP Purge Solenoid Replacement - $151
Like the EVAP purge control valve above, the purge solenoid is responsible for containing and releasing vaporized gas back into the engine. A faulty EVAP purge solenoid will affect the engine idle speed, its quality, and commonly causes problems starting the vehicle, as any leak created in the system will disturb the ratio of fuel to air.
Fuel Injector(s) Replacement - $447
Fuel injector replacements are fairly common and can become quite expensive depending on your make and model of vehicle. They are used to regulate the amount of fuel sent to the engine and to control its flow. For example, increasing the amount during acceleration.
A faulty fuel injector can cause your engine to misfire, reducing power and starving the engine of fuel. This can cause problems such as vehicle stalling or unpredictable acceleration which can be extremely dangerous on the road for yourself and others. It is recommended, therefore, that you get fuel injectors replaced immediately before you not only increase the damage to your vehicle but endanger your life and that of other road users.
Thermostat Replacement - $225
The thermostat regulates coolant temperature in your vehicle’s engine, it consists of a sensor and a valve that opens to prevent your engine overheating by allowing coolant to circulate. The thermostat will open and close many times to help keep your engine at an optimum temperature, without overheating. Whenever any major work is done on a vehicle’s coolant system it is common to replace the thermostat as a matter of course. This is a relatively common, fairly inexpensive repair that is essential to keep your car running well.
The most common auto repairs are generally relatively inexpensive, although prices can rise from one car to another. It is important to get your vehicle checked out and serviced on a regular basis. This can often help avoid any problems before they arise and can help you to budget if you are aware of what is likely to become a potential problem. The most expensive repair cost of 2017 was an engine replacement at around $7,000, with the cheapest repair, tightening or replacing a fuel cap coming in around $26. The average repair cost for this period was $357.
All vehicles will need repairs and parts replacing, it’s part of vehicle ownership and sometimes, unfortunately, this can be expensive. Although modern vehicles are increasingly computerized, it can still take time, and money, to fully understand and diagnose a problem. By taking care of smaller issues immediately you’re more likely to reduce the likelihood of them causing major irreversible damage and saving yourself a lot of money in the long term.