Average car repair costs

But, with tens of thousands of individual parts working together, chances are you'll eventually have a problem that needs to be repaired.

Here, we list the most common car repairs and give you a ballpark figure for the cost to to put it right. Don't forget an extended warranty can help cover the cost of repairing your used car.

^{* Average costs are guideline figures only – your car could cost substantially more or less to repair}

Common car repairs explained

Battery

Battery failures are one of the most common faults that affect drivers. They're usually pretty obvious as they'll cause your car to struggle or fail to start, and you might see some on-board electrical functions start to behave oddly. This is usually a simple replacement job, with most 12V car batteries costing between £100 and £300. With modern cars, you may need to have the battery coded to the car.

Engine electrics and alternator

Another common reason by cars don't start or fail to run properly is the engine electrical systems. This can include items like HT leads or coil packs that deliver lots of electricity to your spark plugs. It also covers items like your alternator, which is responsible for keeping your 12V battery topped up from the engine.

Starter motor

Starter motors are essential for getting your engine to run so, if yours fails, you probably won't be able to start your car. Of course, your car not starting is the biggest clue you might have a starter motor problem, but you might also hear an odd ticking noise when trying to crank your engine over, which can indicate a starter fault.

Engine

Engine failures are, thankfully, less common than ancillary systems like the starter, alternator or battery, but they can still happen. Sadly, if you do suffer from an engine failure, you're probably looking at quite a large bill to put it right. Internal repairs can cost more than £1,000, while full engine replacements can run to £8,000 or higher.

Gearbox and clutch

The gearbox is another essential part of the driveline that keeps you car moving. Gearbox internal failures can lock your car in one gear or make it unable to select a gear. Meanwhile, clutches in manual cars can wear out with time and usage. Small gearbox repairs may be a few hundred pounds, while new clutches can be closer to £1,000, and a total gearbox replacement will be several thousand pounds.

Coolant system

Coolant is essential to stop your engine from overheating. Leaks in your coolant system will impact your engine's ability to shed heat, which could ultimately cause your engine to overheat and be permanently damaged. Simple leaks shouldn't be too pricey, but a more involved repair might cost up to £500.

Fuel system

You're not getting very far if fuel can't make it to your engine. Any leaks or clogs in your fuel pump, fuel lines or fuel filters will starve your engine of fuel while its running. This will cause it to surge and sputter as you accelerate. Fuel lines are often hard to access so repairs might costs a few hundred pounds, or expect to budget closer to £1,000 if you need a new fuel pump.

Exhaust

This is one of the easier repairs to deal with since exhaust systems are usually readily accessible under the car. Failures are also usually quite obvious as your car will probably be noisier than usual. Budget between £100 and £600 depending on how much of your exhaust needs to be replaced.

Diesel particulate filter

Diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are fitted to diesel cars' exhaust systems to remove black sooty particles from their exhausts. These filters periodically 'clean' themselves using heat when the car's moving at higher speeds. Lots of short journeys means they can't clean themselves and get clogged. Cleaning a DPF can cost a few hundred pounds, while a full replacement of a failed DPF can cost thousands. Read our full DPF guide.

Tyres

Tyres are a vitally important safety item responsible for keeping your car going the same direction it's pointed. Your tyres can be damaged by poor surfaces, scruffy kerbs or obstacles on the road. Any damage increases the risk of a catastrophic failure, which could lead to an accident. Tyre repairs can cost £50 or less if they're small, but it's more common to replace the tyre at around £100-£200 per corner.

Brakes

Another safety-critical part, brakes ensure your car can stop swiftly if needed. You might hear your brakes start to make a squeaking noise as they get low, or start to feel your brake pedal go spongey after prolonged use (such as going downhill). Brake repairs usually consist of replacing either the pad or the disk, which can range from £50 to £500 per corner depending on what's being swapped out.

Suspension

The springs and shock absorbers that make up your car's suspension can wear out over time. You might notice this through odd noises as your car goes over bumps, or your handling might start to feel a little more wayward. Budget a few hundred pounds per corner depending on what parts need to be replaced.

Steering

Basically all modern cars have power steering – a system that makes the steering wheel much easier to turn. If your power steering fails, you'll immediately notice because your steering will become very stiff. This can be dangerous if it happens while you're moving. Simple repairs might be just a few hundred pounds, while a replacement steering rack will be comfortably more than £1,000.

Electronics and ECUs

There's a huge amount of electronic items built into your car including things like power windows, seat adjusters and central locking. All these items are controlled by a large wiring harness and several separate electronic control units (ECUs). Any failures will either cause a function to stop working or to behave weirdly. Repairs can be as little as £100 but could balloon to £1,000 or more if the fault is hard to trace.

Infotainment

Along with on-board electronics, most modern cars also include infotainment systems. These setups can fail and, if they do, you might find it hard or impossible to adjust car systems like climate control and driving settings. While turning the system off and on again will often fix faults, more serious problems could cost a few hundred to repair, or upwards of £1,000 if you need the whole system replaced.

Bodywork

While bodywork has less bearing on your car's ability to function properly, scratches or dents often look unsightly and will significantly impact its resale value. Repairs to small blemishes could cost as little as £100, while a whole new panel could cost comfortably more than £500.

Interior trim

Interior upholstery and trim can get damaged if your car gets subjected to the rough and tumble of family life. Simple rips and small replacement pieces should only cost around £100-£200 to repair. However, if you need to reupholster large sections of your cabin, this could quickly send the price above £1,000.

AC and climate control

Air conditioning and climate control aren't essential to keeping your car running but most journeys would be pretty miserable without them. Small leaks in your AC system can see refrigerant leak out over time, reducing the system's effectiveness. Topping up your refrigerant can cost as little as £50, but you'll be spending closer to £1,000 if you need to replace whole sections of your AC circuit.

Why not buy something newer?

If your car is becoming more hassle than it's worth, why not swap it out for something newer and more reliable? Motorpoint has a huge selection of nearly new and used cars for sale. All have been extensively quality inspected and include warranty cover for peace of mind.