When TikTok user Julia Lutz was told it would cost $500 to replace her car’s broken sun visor, she didn’t just take the quote at face value — she took matters into her own hands. Armed with a $50 part from Amazon, a screwdriver and a couple of how-to videos, she pulled off the repair herself.
“I found a replacement on Amazon for $50,”she said in her recent TikTok.“About to watch probably like two TikToks, maybe a YouTube video — I’m going to replace this.”
Lutz ended up saving $450 by skipping the shop — and she’s not alone. As car technology gets more advanced, repair prices are climbing. Maintenance and repair costs rose 4.1% annually from 2013 to 2023, outpacing the 2.8% average inflation rate, as reported by CNBC.
While prices vary depending on the make and model, more Americans are noticing a gap between what shops charge and what the repair actually costs — and many are starting to wonder: Should I just fix it myself?
Don’t miss
- I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
- Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you’re not a millionaire. Here’s how to get started with as little as $10
- Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now
The going rate
Lutz’s repair quote may have seemed steep — but she’s far from alone. The comment section flooded with similar struggles, sharing sky-high bills for what they say were relatively minor fixes.
One Toyota owner said she was quoted $650 to replace a window regulator — a part she later bought for just $50. Another chimed in and wrote, ““I got quoted to change my serpentine belt for $400 when a belt is $30 at autozone, so I did it myself. I am no mechanic but YouTube is the best teacher I ever had.”
These stories echo a broader trend of the rising labor and parts cost. In 2019, the average labor rate for auto repairs was below $50 an hour, according to repair software firm Mitchell as reported by CNBC. By the end of 2023, that figure had jumped to nearly $60. Much of that increase came in the post-pandemic years, as repair demand slowed, skilled techs left the industry and parts prices surged due to global shipping disruptions.
“If cars are to be affordable, they must also be affordable to maintain,”Alan Amici, president and CEO of the Center for Automotive Research, told CNBC. “And they must be affordable to repair, or else we’re going to have fewer vehicle sales. So I think the automakers are going to be motivated to drive those costs down.”
The recent tariffs are only adding fuel to this fire. The Trump administration has added a 25% tariff to all imported auto parts — from engines to electrical components — making even basic repairs more expensive for everyday drivers. And while more recently, a U.S. federal court has blocked Trump’s broader plan to impose global trade tariffs, not all tariffs are off the table and the policy keeps changing. Existing duties on steel, aluminum and auto imports under a separate law — the Trade Expansion Act’s Section 232 — still stand, meaning drivers aren’t in the clear just yet.
Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
Take control of your next repair bill
You can’t control the economy — or the rising cost of car parts — but you can control how you budget for your next repair bill.
When Lutz’s car needed work, she skipped the mechanic and turned to Amazon for parts and YouTube for guidance. DIY can save you hundreds — especially for simpler fixes like window regulators or serpentine belts. But when it comes to major repairs like engines or transmissions, it’s usually smarter (and safer) to leave it to the pros.
Consumer Reports cautions that while DIY jobs might offer short-term savings, mistakes can cost you more in the long run. It may also mean voiding possible warranties, so be sure to first check what your DIY repair might impact. That said, working with a mechanic doesn’t mean paying full price.
According to a Consumer Reports survey, many independent shops and national chains were rated highly for offering discounts and being open to negotiation. Dealerships, on the other hand, didn’t score well when it came to affordability or flexibility.
And, of course, it’s important not to ignore the warning signs. If your car starts squealing, leaking or making mysterious new noise, get it checked out sooner rather than later. Catching problems early can be another way to save you even more in the long run.
What to read next
- JPMorgan sees gold soaring to $6,000/ounce — use this 1 simple IRA trick to lock in those potential shiny gains (before it’s too late)
- This is how American car dealers use the ‘4-square method’ to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs
- Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
