Auto Repair Costs For The Most Popular Repairs Done on Vehicles
Owning a car comes with lots of responsibility besides paying for insurance and routine maintenance. Overtime, there are many repairs that may occur.
In the same way that your car helps you in so many ways and takes care of you, you must also take care of it so that it can work even better.
Your car needs regular maintenance in the form of oil changes, car washes and so much more. You can budget for such needs.
However, some of these costs just pop up and are very unpredictable for example, if you get into an accident.
If you are a car owner, here are a few common car repairs that you should know about and how much they will cost you.
All prices below vary depending on the specific type of vehicle, however, this should give you a general price to expect to pay when getting your vehicle repaired.
1. Cost of bumper replacement
In earlier days when there were heavy bumpers and no airbags, it was very easy to fix damage to a car’s front. However, the new car models which have warning systems in place for deploying airbags and sensors, bumper replacements can cost up to $900. The price increase in the case the impact of the accident causes damage to the center of the car and affects the AC system or any other part. Your insurer may pay most of the costs but you will still be required to pay a stiff deductible and face higher rates following a claim.
2. Cost of AC condenser replacement
Air conditioners tend to go down during the hot summer. It could be a ding to the front of the vehicle. It could also be a general failure in the condenser. If for any of these reasons that your mechanic says your AC needs to be replaced, be prepared to part with at least $700. This cost covers the price of parts and the labor. Some AC replacements can be as high as $850.
3. Cost of alternator replacement
Dimming lights on the dash and weak headlights require to you to run a battery check as soon as you get the chance. There could be many reasons for this. One, the wires running to the battery could be worn out. Two, the battery itself could be worn out which you can replace for $100 to $175. The third reason could be that your alternator is the problem and it needs to be replaced. This could cost you $700.
4. Cost of oil pump replacements
Repairs for used cars often increase as time passes by. The most common brands that have these issues are the Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge brands. With all the other replacements, oil pump replacements are the ones you should not look forward to. For a Chrysler, it would cost you $820 including a new filter, gasket and engine oil.
5. Cost of catalytic converter replacements
Car owners especially the modern day car owners are always messing with their cars’ exhaust systems for a little extra power. Unfortunately, this not only gets them in trouble with the law but also makes the cars unable to pass the emissions test. A catalytic converter can also fail because of several engine problems. When you get a warning in the form of a “check engine” light, you should not wait for too long. Replacing a catalytic converter will cost you a whopping $900 for that and a new gasket.
6. Cost of replacing wheel bearing
A car’s wheel bearings support proper rotation of wheels and the car’s suspension. Though you might not take notice of them, wheel bearings are very important. A problem with the bearings will often cause your car to drift to the side when you pump the brakes. Replacing your wheel bearings for a new set for the front and rear will cost you $1000! Yes, $1000!
7. Cost of radiator replacement
Vehicle radiators are usually gas-powered and they play an important role in keeping the engine at its proper temperature. A failing system will cause your thermometer to show high temperatures and result in flashing warning lights. As such, your mechanic may tell you that you need to replace your radiator, hose clamp and coolant. This package will cost you an average of $1333.
8. Cost of replacing deep paint scratches
Paint scratches look like the easiest thing to fix from the surface. The sight of steel or plastic as part of the car body does not baffle anyone. What you don’t know is that removing deep scratches involves much more than dabbing the car with paint. It could necessitate your mechanic to completely replace the door panels and add expensive paint to make it look natural. A painting job could see you looking at a bill of $1500 in repair fees. Comprehensive coverage is the only kind of insurance that keeps you from paying this hefty bill.
9. Cost of replacing thermostats
Thermostats are extremely important in a car. They are part of the cooling system which regulates the temperature of the engine’s coolant. They are made of metal value which has a temperature sensor. The metal value closes and opens depending on the temperature. Your car’s engine cannot survive with a damaged thermostat. Replacing a thermostat will cost you around $220.
10. Cost of replacing spark plugs and ignition coils
Ignition coils transform the 12 volt D.C. electricity into a high voltage current resulting in a spark. This spark causes the air fuel mixture to combust and power the car. A damaged ignition coil will not be reliable in igniting your fuel thus resulting in misfire. The consequence is a loss in power and severe damage to the catalytic converter and the engine. Replacing spark plugs and ignition coils will cost you $400.
11. Cost of gas cap replacements
Gas caps are among the most common car repair problems. They happen when the rubber seals on the caps wear out. A compromised seal causes the fuel system to cause a check engine light. Replacing gas caps is inexpensive since it costs only $25. You can visually inspect your car’s gas cap for cracks in the plastic or wearing out of the rubber seal.
12. Cost of solenoid replacement
Solenoids are part of the ignition system along with the transmission. Solenoid is found in the car’s starter and it pushes power from your battery to your starter motor when you turn your key to start the car. If you have a bad starter solenoid then your car will not start. When the solenoid in the transmission is going out, your car will either fail to downshift, shift erratically or get stuck in the neutral. The only way out is to replace the worn out solenoid in order to restore the proper functioning of the ignition system and transmission. Replacing the solenoid will cost you $194.
13. Cost of evaporative emissions purge control replacement
The evaporative emissions purge control is responsible for keeping the air you breathe cleaner. Most countries require them as part of the minimum emissions control standards. A worn out, compromised or damaged purge control will cause your vehicle to emit more fumes that it should. The fumes are not only harmful to the environment but also to your health. They can cause health problems like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Replacing the evaporative emissions purge control will cost you $178.
14. Cost of brake repair and pad replacements
You definitely know the function of brakes in your car and you are aware that your car cannot be on the road while its brakes are malfunctioning. This poses danger to both you and other road users. That is why you must replace your brake pads whenever they are damaged. This is going to cost you $250.
15. Cost of replacing the water pump
The water pump plays an important role in cooling the engine temperatures. A damaged water pumps is one of the causes of a ‘smoking’ engine. Replacing a damaged water pump will cost you $500.
Other costs for replacement and repairs are given as:
· $259 to replace oxygen sensors that are damaged of worn out
· $246 to replace a damaged ignition coil
· $392 to replace mass air flow sensors
· $341 to replace spark plug and spark plug wire
· $450 to replace tires
On average, car repairs cost $387.31. This includes a price of $232.16 for the parts and $155.15 for the labor. Overall, it is owning a car is expensive because it involves the regular costs of maintenance. It is possible to reduce this costs and unexpected car repairs if you follow a regular maintenance program and ensure that all the small issues are immediately taken care of.
Can you imagine that if you fail to replace a damaged spark plug immediately which will only cost you $50, you may end up paying $400 for the repair after the damage has extended to other parts of the car?
As long as you take care of your car, it will serve you for many years.
If you are interested in getting your vehicle looked at and have more questions or want a 100% Free Quote Today, contact us directly by clicking here.