Introduction
The average car repair costs depend on many factors, such as what needs to be repaired, the issue, and the repair shop you go to.
If you go to a car dealer repair shop, you may expect to pay more compared to the local repair shop your family has known.
Average Car Repair Costs
A car repair invoice typically consists of parts, labor, other “shop fees,” taxes 🙃. A car warranty, covers the cost associated with parts, labor, and taxes.
AAA recommends for car owners to set aside at least $50 a month to help cover for unexpected car repair costs.
Let’s cover some basic car repairs
Engine failure: A car’s engine is a critical component that makes the car run. An engine may need to be rebuilt, if it fails. On average the cost rebuild an engine can be between $2,500 and $4,500, depending on parts and labor costs.
Suspension replacement: A car’s suspension provides you a smooth ride . If the suspension fails, the approximate cost to repair a suspension can be between $2,500 and $3,500.
Transmission failure: A car’s transmission is a critical part of the car because it works hand in glove with the engine. If the transmission fails, an approximate cost to repair a car’s transmission can be anywhere between $4,000 and $5,000.
Fuel pump replacement: A car’s fuel pump supplies sufficient fuel to the car’s injectors (which are inside the engine). If this fails, you can expect the cost to repair the fuel pump to be between $700 to $2000.
Alternator replacement: An alternator is another key component of a car because it helps keep the car’s battery charged. If the alternator fails, you can expect the cost to repair an alternator to be between $400 and $600 approximately.
Warranty Coverage
Manufacturer’s Warranty
Almost all new cars have standard bumper-to-bumper warranty on the car. If you have an issue during this warranty period, the warranty will typically cover the car repair costs for parts and labor. Bumper-to-bumper warranty usually covers almost every mechanical and/or electrical part of a car for defects. Check your warranty paperwork for specific coverage details.
Also note that, new cars, typically have a bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage that is separate from the car’s powertrain warranty. Learn more about warranty coverages here.
Extended Car Warranty
A car’s standard warranty usually lasts for a number of years and/or a number of files. Once the number of years have lapsed or the number of miles has been reached, the warranty ends. For example, a new car’s bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage can finish the earlier of either 3 years from when you purchased or 36,000 miles.
To help ensure you don’t have to go out-of-pocket on expensive parts, an extended warranty plan is great to have to help protect your asset (the car!).
Providers typically have different levels of extended car warranty. Learn more about whether it is worth buying extended warranty on your car.
The 411:
Car repair costs can add up over time. When buying your new and/or used car, understand what your warranty coverage looks like. If needed, decide whether investing in an extended car warranty plan is worth it for you.
As you may know from experience, car repair costs can start at a few hundred dollars and add up to be thousands of dollars.
Know your options and invest and spend your money wisely!
David is an avid car enthusiast. Whether it is classic muscle cars or electric vehicles, David loves everything about cars. Over the years David has bought and sold many cars, as a consumer, and take an active interest in car repair. Outside of cars, David loves to regularly bike to stay active!
