Report: Average Car-Repair Costs Were Down in 2024; Tariffs Threaten to Increase Prices

Automotive diagnostic data firm CarMD has released its annual report on repair costs in the U.S., and the news is mostly good — with some precautions, including higher labor costs and the potential impact of auto parts tariffs.

Related: What Does the Check-Engine Light Mean?

Compiled every year since 2011, CarMD’s Vehicle Health Index aggregates information on repair costs from around the country. The 2025 report is based on more than 31 million failures on vehicles that needed repairs in 2024.

Declining Repair Costs, With Potential to Rise

CarMD reports that the average repair related to a check-engine light cost $415.31 in 2024, down from an all-time high of $427.56 in 2023. The Vehicle Health Index incorporates both parts and labor costs; the former of which dropped 5% from 2023 after shooting up 8% the prior year. A slight increase in labor costs, which were up 1.4% over 2023’s results, offset the lower parts costs.

CarMD notes that, while higher labor costs could be partially due to wage increases for automotive technicians, more complicated and time-consuming repairs to increasingly complex modern vehicles are likely the bigger factor. The firm’s technical vice president, David Rich, also urges owners to address their check-engine light now, cautioning of “uncertainty about how tariffs will impact replacement part prices.”

What Check-Engine Light Repairs Are Most Common?

The silver lining is that many of the most commonly needed repairs are relatively cheap — or even free, as anyone who has ever had their check-engine light come on because their gas cap was loose will know. But many common issues have similar symptoms, so without scanning the vehicle’s computers for the precise cause, a backyard mechanic might be flailing in the dark. Ignoring the check-engine light only places more strain on other vehicle components, too, which inevitably leads to additional failures and even pricier repairs down the road.

Below are the 10 most common repairs as reported in the 2025 Vehicle Health Index, along with the average cost of each and the impact it can have on the vehicle’s operation.

1. Replace catalytic converter: $1,348

A worn-out catalytic converter can reduce the engine’s power, leading to sluggish acceleration. It may also cause the vehicle’s exhaust to visibly darken.

2. Replace oxygen sensor(s): $254

Drivers may not notice their vehicle behaving differently if an oxygen sensor goes bad, but their fuel economy will likely suffer.

3. Replace ignition coil(s) and spark plug(s): $400

Faulty ignition coils and spark plugs can cause the engine to misfire, which translates to difficulty starting, rough operation and slower acceleration.

4. Replace mass air flow sensor: $323

Mass air flow sensor failure may cause a vehicle to stall at idle or hesitate during acceleration. It can also reduce fuel economy by up to 25%.

5. Replace EVAP canister purge control valve: $144

A malfunctioning evaporative emissions purge control valve can lead to a rough idle and reduced fuel economy.

6. Replace ignition coil(s): $218

A bad ignition coil has the same symptoms as a bad coil and spark plug, but at least it’s cheaper to replace only one part instead of two.

7. Tighten or replace fuel cap: free to tighten; $28 on average to replace

A modern vehicle’s computer controls are so precise that they can detect changes in fuel evaporation caused by a loose or damaged gas cap. If yours is just loose, the repair is free. Tightening it is a good first response any time your check-engine light comes on.

8. Replace fuel injector(s): $464

A faulty fuel injector can cause noticeable symptoms such as rough idling and misfires or less obvious effects like reduced fuel economy.

9. Replace thermostat: $254

A stuck thermostat can cause the engine to run unusually hot or cold. In the winter, it can be easy to notice if the vehicle’s heater needs longer than usual to start blowing hot air.

10. Reprogram powertrain control module: $108

A faulty powertrain control module is rarely a solution in and of itself. Rather, it typically is the last step after other repairs are performed.

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Understanding the Check-Engine Light

It is important to note that CarMD’s Vehicle Health Index only tracks repairs related to the check-engine light, which is the dashboard warning icon that illuminates to alert drivers of issues with the fuel, ignition, exhaust and emissions systems, among other drivetrain components. Problems with brakes, the suspension and other vehicle systems are not covered by this report.

Luckily, if your check-engine light does come on, it can be easy to determine the cause. An onboard diagnostics system (or OBD II) scanner, which can be purchased for as little as $30, plugs into a car’s data port to connect to the vehicle’s computers and will tell you where the issue is. Many auto-parts stores sell OBD II scanners and will check your vehicle for free, as well. CarMD’s data is logged by owners and repair shops that use the firm’s tools to connect with the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system in order to determine the issue causing the check-engine light to come on.

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