Do you need to replace, say, the windshield wipers on your vehicle?
They’re not going to cost you much at all. You can usually pick up a pair for less than $20. Even if you opt for high-end heated windshield wipers, you still won’t break the bank on them.
The same can’t be said for some of your other auto parts. Many of the most expensive car parts could very well end up costing you more than the total value of your car when everything is all said and done.
It’s a good idea to educate yourself about the car parts that will cost you a fortune. It’ll help you avoid the sticker shock that often comes along with learning that you’re going to have to shell out thousands of dollars for auto repair.
Here are five of the most expensive car parts on the market today.
1. Engine Block
The engine that sits under your hood is obviously one of the most important, if not the most important, parts in your entire car. It’s the heart and soul of your vehicle, and it makes everything go.
With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a shock at all to hear that repairing or replacing an engine block will cost you a ton of money. When your engine conks out on you, you’re going to pay the price for it.
In a best-case scenario, an auto repair shop will be able to bring your engine back to life without replacing it altogether. That may only cost you one or two thousand bucks.
But more often than not, a blown engine will need to be replaced altogether. That could cost you upwards of $4,000 and prevent you from driving your car again anytime soon.
Many people who experience serious engine problems choose to get rid of their cars rather than trying to repair or replace their engines. It takes too much time and money to get a vehicle with a severely damaged engine back up and running.
2. Transmission
When is the last time you had your vehicle’s transmission fluid changed?
Transmission fluid doesn’t need to be changed anywhere near as often as the oil in your car does. It can last for more than 100,000 miles in many newer cars.
But if you fail to change your transmission fluid every so often, it could lead to transmission troubles. And transmission troubles could be very costly if you’re not careful.
How costly? Well, transmission repairs will often run you somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000. And if you have to do transmission replacement, it could wind up costing more than $4,000.
Much like with blown engines, those who suffer serious transmission problems often choose to get a new car as opposed to fixing their old one. It’s not usually worth it to drop thousands of dollars on one of the most expensive car parts.
3. Air Conditioning Compressor
If you live in a part of the country that doesn’t get too hot at any point during the year, you might not need to use the air conditioner in your car very much. But if you live somewhere where the temperature routinely climbs into the 90s and even the 100s in the summer, driving around without an AC in your car isn’t an option.
But it’s what you might have to do if the air conditioning compressor in your car gives out on you in the middle of the summertime. You might not be able to afford to replace it right away to get cold air flowing through your car again.
A new AC compressor doesn’t cost anywhere near what you would pay for an engine or transmission. But including parts and labor, you could pay more than $1,000 for it depending on what kind of car you drive.
4. Mass Air Flow Sensor
Many vehicle owners have never heard of a mass air flow sensor before. But it plays an important role in the well-being of a car, truck, or SUV.
The mass air flow sensor measures how much air is being sent to your engine as you drive down the road. It then calculates how much fuel that your vehicle needs to send to the engine based on its calculations.
You can keep your mass air flow sensor in good working condition by replacing your vehicle’s air filters on a regular basis. But if you don’t do that, you could be forced to replace your mass air flow sensor sooner rather than later.
A new mass air flow sensor can cost as much as $400, not including the cost of labor. Visit this auto shop to see how you can get your hands on one for less than what you would normally have to pay.
5. Car Key
Once upon a time, you could call your local locksmith and have them replace your car key for about $10. But sadly, that is no longer the case!
Today’s car keys are jampacked with all kinds of technological features. They can help you do everything from lock and unlock your car to remote start it.
Because of this, ordering a new key for your car will usually cost at least a couple hundred dollars, if not more. And if you happen to lose all your car keys, your whole car may need to be reprogrammed, which will send the cost of replacing keys even higher.
Avoid Having to Repair or Replace the Most Expensive Car Parts
Want to reduce your chances of ever needing to buy any of the most expensive car parts?
Take good care of your car from the moment you first bring it home. Change the fluids in it, have it looked at by a mechanic every now and then, and make the minor repairs that pop up from time to time.
This should cut down on your need for major repairs. It should also help you steer clear of ever having to purchase a new engine block, a new transmission, or any of the other car parts listed here.
Check out the other articles on our blog to learn more about replacing the various parts in your car.
