9 Pricey Auto Repairs That Can Add Up Fast -- Are They Necessary?
If you've ever limped out of an auto repair shop because it felt like you just paid an arm and a leg, your outrage may be justified depending on how much you were charged. Car repairs are among the biggest unexpected expenses American drivers face, and unfortunately, many of those sky-high bills are for fixes that just aren't worth it.
To help you steer clear of unnecessary car costs, MoneyLion got some expert mechanics to weigh in from the inside track to warn you against the most overpriced and overhyped auto repairs. This list covers the auto repair rip-offs that drain your wallet without actually helping your car. So buckle up, as your bank account is about to breathe a serious sigh of relief.
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1. Catalytic Converter Replacement
Catalytic converters prevent toxic emissions from passing through the tailpipe. Without one, your car isn't safe to drive and won't pass inspection or emissions tests. However, Brittany Schindler, a car expert with AutoTechIQ recommended thinking this repair through.
“Catalytic converters are anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000. If it's not causing any drivability issues, I would definitely leave [it].”
2. Power Steering Rack
Fixing a broken steering rack is DIYable for just about no one, and if you encounter this repair, the cost should make you stop to think if it's even worth making. However, Schindler said, “Personally I would also not do a power steering rack if it was leaking just a little bit. I would keep the fluid topped off. Power steering racks are $3,000 to $5,000.”
3. Seeping Oil Leaks
Replacing anything in your fuel lines is often just one component of sprawling, system-wide repairs that might involve work on the exhaust manifold, intake manifold, intake valve and ignition coil. This is why Schindler said, “ I would also leave seeping oil leaks, ones that are not dripping all over the engine or the ground. I just saw a seeping timing cover on a four cylinder Toyota Tacoma and it was a 19- hour job to fix [for] $5,000.”
4. Engine Replacement
"Major engine damage" are three words that no driver ever wants to hear. If you're still protected by your powertrain warranty, an engine replacement should be covered. If not, that means that your car is more than five years old and/or has more than 60,000 miles on it.
In some cases, powertrain warranties last up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, which makes repairs that cost as much as a down payment or even an entire car hard to justify. According to Bridwell Automotive Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, a total engine replacement costs $3,000 to $4,000 in a shop, $7,500 at a dealership. If you have a diesel engine, or a performance or luxury car, expect to add 50% more or even double the cost.
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5. Transmission Replacement or Rebuild
Few jobs are bigger, more complex, more time-consuming and more expensive than replacing a transmission. You can expect to spend in the ballpark of $5,000 for this kind of service, according to RepairPal.
Even if your transmission can be repaired, a rebuild can easily cost just as much as a replacement; it's certain to cost thousands in both parts and labor. Here, too, it's rarely worth the expense because the car is likely to be older with higher mileage and the repair is usually just one part of a larger and more expensive overhaul.
6. Replace Electric Car Battery
Traditional car batteries are fairly cheap and easy to replace, but there's nothing traditional about the batteries that power fully-electric vehicles. Replacing them costs close to as much as replacing an engine on a gas-powered vehicle, to the tune of $5,000 or $6,000. Electric cars generally come with warranties that span eight or 10 years, according to AutoTrader, which means if you have to pay for it yourself, you'll be pouring thousands into a car that's a decade old or more.
7. Airbag Replacement
If your airbags deploy, they must be replaced, and that repair alone can cost about $3,000. In many cases, however, related parts and systems like control modules must also be replaced, which will make the bill even higher. Also, if the airbags have deployed, it's likely because you were in a fairly significant accident, which means you're fighting a repair war on more than one front.
8. Air Conditioner Compressor Replacement
If your air conditioner compressor goes, you can expect to spend more than $1,000 to get it fixed, according to RepairPal. The problem is, the work usually takes place as part of a larger, more significant package of repairs. It's also a repair you can simply put off if you must, it's usually safe to drive, albeit uncomfortably, without one.
9. Radiator Replacement
You can replace a radiator for inside $1,000 in most cases, according to RepairPal, but if a radiator has to be replaced, chances are good it's a repair that will require other repairs. If the radiator is no good, you'll likely have to also put money into components like thermostats, hoses and pumps. Also, if your radiator fails, it's likely that your car is fairly old.
Andrew Lisa contributed to the reporting for this article.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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