Repair cost estimator
Free estimate of the labor cost for common repairs: what an average repair shop and an average mobile mechanic might charge in your state or metro. Estimates, not quotes.
Estimate only. Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location.
Cost guides by repair
- A/C compressor replacement
- Alternator replacement
- Battery replacement
- Belt tensioner and idler pulley replacement (with serpentine belt)
- Brake light / third brake light (high-mount) replacement
- CV axle replacement (one side)
- Cam phaser (VCT unit) replacement, all four (twin-cam V6, e.g. Ford 3.5L EcoBoost)
- Catalytic converter replacement (one, bolt-on)
- Control arm replacement (one arm, bushings and ball joint included in the arm)
- Door latch assembly / latch actuator replacement (one door)
- EVAP leak diagnosis (smoke test) for a check engine light
- EVAP purge valve (purge solenoid) replacement
- Electronic throttle body replacement
- Engine coolant temperature sensor replacement
- Engine replacement (used or remanufactured engine)
- Front brake pads and rotors
- Front struts replacement (pair)
- Fuel pump replacement (in-tank)
- Head gasket replacement
- Heater/A/C blower motor replacement
- Ignition coil replacement (one coil)
- No-crank / no-start diagnostic
- Oil change
- Oxygen (O2) sensor replacement (one sensor)
- Power transfer unit (PTU) replacement (AWD/4WD crossover)
- Radiator cooling fan motor / fan assembly replacement
- Radiator replacement
- Rear brake pads and rotors
- Serpentine belt replacement
- Spark plug replacement (full set)
- Starter replacement
- Steering rack (rack and pinion / steering gear) replacement
- Tail light assembly replacement (one lamp, incl. liftgate-mounted lamps)
- Thermostat replacement
- Tie rod end replacement (one, outer)
- Timing chain and tensioner replacement
- Totally integrated power module (TIPM) replacement (Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram)
- Transmission fluid service (drain and fill)
- Transmission replacement (automatic or CVT, remanufactured unit)
- Valve cover gasket replacement (4-cylinder, or one easy-access V6/V8 bank)
- Valve cover gaskets, both banks (V6, intake plenum removal)
- Water pump replacement
- Wheel bearing / hub replacement (one wheel)
How these estimates work
- Labor hours (Mechanic Notes estimate): each job has our own editorial "typical labor hours" range. Real times depend on the vehicle, engine and condition, and are not taken from any licensed labor guide.
- Shop labor rate (assumption): $100–$139/hour, the band where about half of surveyed U.S. general repair shops put their average labor rate (PartsTech / OEC U.S. General Auto Repair Shop Survey (about 700 shops, Sept 2025), as reported by Ratchet+Wrench), scaled by your area's mean wage for automotive service technicians divided by the U.S. mean ($27.13/h; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 49-3023; verify on bls.gov). States and metros without wage data use the next-wider area.
- Average shop cost = typical hours × estimated shop rate. The headline number uses the middle of both ranges (or a job’s stated typical hours, where the usual job sits near the low end); the range uses low hours × low rate to high hours × high rate. Rounded to $5.
- Average mobile mechanic cost = shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium: travel and convenience are built in). This is a default assumption, not a survey result.
- Parts are not included. Parts prices vary too much by vehicle and brand to estimate honestly here; price parts separately.
All jobs and both estimates for every area: repair cost table · estimates.json (machine-readable).
Page last updated .