Everyone knows that there are some repairs to cars that are more expensive than others.
But what are the most expensive ones?
It’s important to be aware of these so you can prepare for them and know when they’re coming.
If you have a car, this information is imperative! I’ve compiled a list of the five most expensive car repairs and how you can avoid or deal with them when they occur.
One thing never fails upon visits to the repair shop, frequent or infrequent, and that’s sticker shock.
No matter what the problem seems to be, the cost is never aligned with our expectations.
You’d think that through generations of repair shop sticker shock, we’d be somewhat prepared…but no.
Below we’ll talk about five of the most common auto repairs that elicit the highest costs, biggest shock, and major dents in your wallet.
Transmission Repairs
If you hear “transmission” at the shop, prepare yourself.
Transmission repairs are one of the most expensive car repairs that you can have done.
The average cost for transmission repairs is over $3,500, making it a very costly repair.
However, it is a necessary repair and one that you should not avoid.
If your car needs a new transmission, be prepared to spend a lot of money.
The transmission is a complex assembly of parts whose purpose is to transmit (ah-ha) power from the engine to your wheels, making your vehicle move.
On average, transmission repairs will cost over $3,500, making those in need almost consider replacing the vehicle.
Transmission costs, due to their pure necessity and importance, will make any list of the most expensive car repairs.
Cylinder Head
If your vehicle requires a few good turns to get started, it may be a spark plug issue, and needs to be addressed.
Cylinder head repairs are another example of an expensive car repair, with the average cost being around $2,500.
This is a repair that you may be able to do on your own if you have some mechanical experience.
If not, take it to a professional.
You don’t want to mess around with your cylinder head, as it is a vital part of your engine.
A bad cylinder head can cause major engine damage, so it’s best to leave this repair to the professionals.
Failures to start can ultimately result in overheating and engine failure (a $7,000+ replacement).
Failures in this area should signal a check engine light or alert in your vehicle, though how many of you have chosen to drive on that for a couple of days?
Problems revolving around the cylinder head and head gasket (responsible for creating a perfect seal between the engine block and cylinder head) repairs also average over $3,500.
So, if your car is flirting with overheating or is having trouble starting up, take it in…and be prepared.
Replacing Tires
There are many common and expensive vehicle repairs that may break the bank more than the replacement of your tires, but the importance and overlooking of this aspect shouldn’t be overlooked.
Tires are often taken for granted and we only realize how important they are when it’s too late.
The average cost of a new set of tires is around $600, but the price can vary depending on the size and type of tire you need.
If you live in an area with harsh winters, you may need to invest in a set of winter tires, which can add an extra $1,000 to the bill.
Not changing your tires when they need to be changed can lead to accidents and expensive repairs down the road.
It’s important to regularly check your tires and change them when necessary.
This is one repair that is relatively inexpensive but can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Depending on your vehicle, tires may range from $50/tire to $250/tire.
Altogether and for a higher-end tire, this could cost you.
And considering the average household has more than one vehicle in the driveway, you’re looking at over $1,000 every 30,000-40,000 miles.
Out of the most expensive car repairs, this is included not only due to cost but because of safety.
We know it’s tough but listen to your mechanic when the time comes to suggest new tires.
Replacing the Camshaft
The camshaft controls how your engine takes in air.
It also dictates the timing of the opening and closing of your valves.
If your engine is “losing power,” it may be time to replace the camshaft.
This car repair can cost between $1,500 and $3,000 on average.
The price will depend on the type of engine you have and the severity of the damage.
If you have a V8 engine, you can expect to pay on the higher end of that spectrum.
This is a repair that should be done by a professional as it requires special tools and knowledge to properly fix.
Regular and responsible maintenance should help avoid any issues, but if neglected, grime and dirt build-up on the valves.
The cost of parts for replacement will run you $1,500 to $3,000 NOT including labor costs (which are thorough in this repair).
This being a problem not many are aware of or educated about, it can be a sneaky and impactful common car repair.
Hybrid Inverter Assembly
We include something for everyone, and there just isn’t enough information on hybrid vehicles’ true repair costs.
So for those driving hybrids, this one’s for you.
The Hybrid Inverter Assembly, whose purpose is for converting direct-current power to alternating-current power, can be one of the most expensive car repairs at the end of the day.
While it’s mostly reliable, a replacement can cost anywhere between $3,500 and $7,000 depending on the model.
This is a big reason why we recommend always taking your hybrid to the dealership for repairs and maintenance.
The technicians there will have a better understanding of the delicate inner workings of your vehicle and can avoid any issues that may arise down the road.
Knowledge of any problems with the assembly will rely solely on you seeing the check engine light, so don’t ignore it!
Thanks For Reading About The 5 Most Expensive Auto Repairs
The 5 most expensive car repairs can be costly and dangerous if not taken care of.
It’s important to stay on top of your vehicle’s maintenance and know when it’s time for a tune-up or more serious repair work.
These five repairs, while they may be expensive, are all important to keep your vehicle running safely and smoothly.
Stay on top of your car’s maintenance to avoid any expensive or dangerous surprises down the road.
All in all, the best thing to do is to abide by a healthy vehicle maintenance schedule to avoid any surprises.
But, accidents and surprises still happen. In those cases (almost guaranteed to happen at some point), it’s best to be covered by an extended warranty.
If you need help with any questions or concerns you may have about one of our extended car warranty plans that can help you with your costly vehicle repairs, then contact us today at Protect My Car… we can help.