Jan
If you have been on the fence about getting an extended warranty for your car, perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve had to bring your vehicle in for repairs. With costs skyrocketing since 2011, driving around without a warranty to cover major repairs is a losing battle. Here are a few figures you should know about. (more…)
Aug
If you have had any auto repairs lately, you know that exorbitant prices are commonplace. Most of the time, complex electrical systems in modern vehicles are blamed. This has also led to extremely high labor costs as techs need to have a wider variety of skills than ever before. However, there is something else driving up prices you may not know about.
Why Vehicle Replacement Parts Are So High
Auto manufacturers have been patenting more parts, and this prevents generic, less expensive parts from making it to the market for years. As a result, your repair shop has to pay a premium to get those parts, and that added expense gets passed on to you.
What Are the Most Expensive Repairs?
Of course, some repairs are far more expensive than others. Some of the worst include things like:
- Damaged rod/piston/valve
- Head gasket
- Air conditioner system
- Suspension system
- Transmission replacement
Avoid Getting Scammed
Sometimes the problem really is the repair shop. For example, you don’t want to pay for the full amount of labor on two replacement parts if they can easily be changed at the same time. If you are getting your timing belt replaced, the water pump is right there. If the mechanic is charging you for more than just the cost of the part on the water pump to add this to a timing belt change, you are paying hundreds of dollars more than you should.
A Third-Party Service Contract Can Save You a Fortune
When major repairs arise unexpectedly, the right service contract may save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. For a free quote, call one of our vehicle protection specialists today at 1-800-280-6708.
Mar
If you have been on the fence about getting an extended warranty for your car, perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve had to bring your vehicle in for repairs. With costs skyrocketing since 2011, driving around without a warranty to cover major repairs is a losing battle. Here are a few figures you should know about.
Check Engine Light Repair Costs
Let’s take the simplest of things – the check engine light. The majority of the time, this comes down to one of two things:
- A bad oxygen sensor
- An incorrectly closed gas cap
These are simple fixes for an auto repair shop. But back in 2012, at the start of the recent extreme price hike, parts and labor on a check engine light fix averaged anywhere from $270 to $400 depending on the state (our home state of California was the 3rd most expensive).
Increasing Prices on a Nationwide Scale
In one recent year alone, replacement part costs for cars went up by 6% and labor costs rose by a shocking 17%. If you think getting a check engine light issue fixed is expensive, imagine needing a new transmission (which often means having an electronic module reprogrammed as well). Across the country, the cost of such a service averages over $5,000!
Why Are Auto Repair Costs Rising?
You may wonder why such a steep rise in repair costs is occurring. There are two lines of reasoning. The first is that newer cars are becoming more complicated and computer oriented, making repair an even more specialized field than it already was. The second is that people are keeping their cars longer (one study suggests that the average age of a decommissioned vehicle is now up to 11 years). As a result, these aging vehicles are experiencing the need for bigger repair jobs, bringing up the average cost of repairs.
Regardless of the reason behind the increase in repair costs, it is vital to keep yourself covered. After all, if you spend $5,000 on repairs, you may as well have had a car payment all year long. The cost-effective solution is an extended warranty.
Extended Warranty Services You Can Trust
Vehicle Service Center is a California-based extended warranty business that provides full coverage options for both new and pre-owned vehicles. Don’t get hit with thousands of dollars in expenses for a catastrophic repair bill. Get covered now by calling 1-800-280-6708.