The 2023 CarMD Vehicle Health Index is an annual overview of check engine light-related car repair costs and trends.
This year, researchers say that due to the shortage of new inventory, many lessees have opted to purchase vehicles at lease end versus trading them in, driving up the average vehicle age, and impacting the type and cost of repairs.
"The check engine light comes on to warn you when your car or truck has a problem that impacts emissions and can lead to poor performance and reduced fuel economy. Ignoring the check engine light will cause your car to fail an emissions test and can result in additional repairs down the road," said David Rich, CarMD technical vice president. "We encourage consumers and the automotive aftermarket to reference CarMD's data to inform car care and repair decisions, especially given that inflation has driven up the cost of goods like car parts."
Top 10 Check Engine Light Causes
- Replace catalytic converter(s) $1,313 (Last year: $1,355)
- Replace oxygen sensor(s), $242 (Last year: $243)
- Replace ignition coil(s) and spark plug(s), $392 (Last year: 392)
- Replace mass air flow sensor, $303 (Last year: $319)
- Tighten or replace fuel cap, (free to tighten and $25 on average to replace)
- Replace EVAP canister purge control valve, $137 (this repair is trending up from no. 8 last year)
- Replace ignition coil(s), $214 (this repair is trending down from no. 6 last year)
- Replace fuel injector(s), $424 (this repair is trending down from no. 7 last year)
- Replace thermostat, $239
- Reprogram powertrain control module, $109 (new to the list this year)
Other findings as shared in the CarMD press release include:
-
Car Repair Costs Up Amid Aging Vehicle Population.
- In 2022 car repair costs were up 2.8% overall, totaling $403 on average. Labor costs were actually down half a percent, which CarMD partially attributes to more DIYers doing their own repairs and competition among auto repair shops. But in a continuing upward trajectory, parts costs were up 4.7%. Factors that likely played a role in this increase include continued supply chain issues, inflation and an increase in pricier car parts failing as consumers hold on to vehicles longer than ever before.
- CarMD found that model year 2007 and 2008 vehicles were most likely to need a check engine light-related repair in the past year, with new (still under warranty) 2021 and 2022 cars and trucks least likely to have an issue.
- While CarMD tracks the top 10 repairs, our statisticians monitor deep datasets for developing trends. Of note is the increase in hybrid and EV battery-related fixes. Although electric vehicles are zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) and are not required to comply with OBD2 standards, hybrids and plug-in hybrids are equipped with internal combustion engines (ICE). Because these powertrains produce emissions, they are equipped with OBD2 diagnostics. In 2022 "replace hybrid or EV high voltage battery" ranked no. 170. In 2021 it was no. 348. And in 2020 EV batteries weren't even on the list of common repairs, while hybrid batteries ranked no. 428.
- In 2022 car repair costs were up 2.8% overall, totaling $403 on average. Labor costs were actually down half a percent, which CarMD partially attributes to more DIYers doing their own repairs and competition among auto repair shops. But in a continuing upward trajectory, parts costs were up 4.7%. Factors that likely played a role in this increase include continued supply chain issues, inflation and an increase in pricier car parts failing as consumers hold on to vehicles longer than ever before.
If you'd like to read the full CarMD report click here.
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