Why are cars so expensive to fix? Why pay the dealer hundreds of dollars, when there’s always someone who can do it for cheap?
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It can be really frustrating when you realize, the money you’ve been saving for that special purchase now has to be spent on getting your car fixed.
Sometimes, it’s hard to justify spending money on car repairs if you could have used that cash for something more enjoyable.
Find out what auto repairs can wait and what can’t
So, why? Why are you paying hundreds; or even, thousands of dollars for that inconvenient car repair? Why are cars so expensive to fix?
Table of contents
Car Parts
A lot of car parts are made of expensive materials, like the catalytic converters in your car. These parts are made with so-called “precious metals” and can often be a high-value target for recyclers and thieves.
Like everything else, the amount of research and development for a specific car part also affects the price. Making sure the replacement parts you buy for your vehicle is the exact fit is no easy task.
Availability is also a big factor that comes into play. Buying car parts for a forty-year-old car can be a hassle if aftermarket support is scarce. Parts that are no longer massed-produced are typically harder to find and harder on your budget.
Finally, you have to think about the journey car parts go through before they make it into the shelves or to you. On every step of that journey, the price increases by a fraction. It’s not uncommon for prices to be marked-up by sellers thirty to fifty percent by the time of your purchase.
Labor
Most repairs in the car world have a set standard of hours on how long it should take for a mechanic/technician to complete a specific task; varying by the carmaker.
A lot of repairs require removing multiple parts to gain access to the component that needs to be replaced. Items that are buried under a stockpile of other parts on your car will obviously cost more to fix. Also, some jobs require more skill and expertise than others.
Additionally, auto repair shops have a lot of overhead to pay for; things like special tools and equipment that would cost you thousands if you were to buy it yourself.
Next time you take your car in for a repair, pay attention to your invoice. Take a look at the labor rate (how much a shop charges per hour) and look for how many hours you’re being charged. Shops with more expertise and more specialized equipment usually have larger overhead, meaning their rates will be higher. That’s why cars are more expensive to fix at the dealer.
Quality Of Repair
I know someone who can do it cheaper!
-angry customer
The reality is; Yes, there is always someone who can do it cheaper. But before you go to someone who can do it for less, think about why they will do it cheaper.
If you have someone in your family who works on cars and can produce quality work; without charging you an arm and a leg, then you are very lucky.
But be wary of mechanics who can do it cheaper because some of those guys like to take shortcuts and perform hack quality jobs. It can mean using junkyard parts or skipping a very important step. Costs have to be cut down from somewhere.
You also got to think about if that someone can backup and warranty their repair. Okay, say that someone you found is a decent mechanic, but what happens when things go sideways. Will they be able to fix it right for you without charging you extra? Or is it going to come out of your pocket?
Finding someone or someplace you can trust to take care of your car can be a difficult task at times. But there are a lot of trustworthy mechanics out there. Once you find one, it’ll be easier to justify all the hard-earned money you spent fixing your car.
To Sum It All Up
No one likes to spend their money on expensive car repairs. Knowing what you’re paying for is key. Having the right car and finding the right mechanic will help put your mind at ease. Stick to cars known for reliability instead of luxury.
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