Budget Mechanic recently broke down five common auto repairs that shops frequently overcharge for and demonstrates how you can perform them yourself to save hundreds of dollars.
5 Overpriced Repairs You Can DIY
Spark Plugs & Ignition Coils: Mechanics often charge up to $900 for a full set on a six-cylinder engine. You can do it yourself for about $50 in parts. Use a free code reader at an auto parts store to identify exactly which coil is misfiring.
Oxygen Sensors: Shops may charge $200–$500, but a high-quality sensor costs around $60 online. While some are tucked away, many are easily accessible on the exhaust system.
Transmission Fluid Change: A professional service can cost several hundred dollars, whereas DIY fluid costs roughly $70–$80. It’s a simple three-step process: drain, refill, and check the level.
Brake Pads & Rotors: This is the biggest area for overcharging, with quotes sometimes exceeding $1,200. Parts typically only cost about $300. You might not even need new rotors, despite what a shop tells you.
Struts & Shocks: Replacing front struts at a mechanic can cost $500-$700. You can buy the parts for roughly $300. It involves some "busy work" like disconnecting brake lines and sway bar links, but it’s manageable with basic tools.
Why Shops Charge So Much
The major industry loophole that mechanics take advantage of is called Book Time. They use software to determine how long a job should take, and bill you for those hours at their high labor rate (example: $135/hr). In reality, an experienced mechanic can often finish the job in a fraction of that time, but you are still billed for the full "book" amount.
Now you need to be a bit mechanically inclined to take a shot at these repairs, but if you are, your time will be rewarded.
Thanks for reading everybody!
-Paul