Throughout its useful life, practically all cars have to go through a workshop due to a breakdown. If it's not an injector, it's a hose and if not the EGR valve. But there are times when the damage is much more expensive than we might expectSo much so that many choose to get rid of the car, especially if it is already a few years old.
The most expensive breakdowns usually come from poor maintenance, misuse and, of course, also from the bad luck of buying a car with factory defects. In this article we are going to list the most expensive breakdowns and tips to prevent them, because with a few habits you can avoid many of the most expensive bills.
Defects in sheet metal and paint
Put the car on bench
Body and paint repairs can become especially expensive, because depending on the mishap you have had, it will be necessary to “put the car on bench”. A phrase feared by those who understand mechanics, especially if the costs are not covered by the insurer.
When a car has suffered damage to your lower structure, the mechanics have to get it back into shape with precision. That's what the bench is for, a machine that allows measure the deformation that the vehicle has suffered and reset each of your measurements within the appropriate values for proper operation.
If the workshop does not have the suitable parameters for that car, the very house that has manufactured the bench can send so they can get the job done. Once they are inserted into the bed, it will be able to recover the correct shape of the car thanks to the fact that its hydraulic mechanisms have a force between 10 and 15 tons.
Taking into account the number of hours of work and materials used and after consulting several sheet metal and paint workshops in Madrid and other communities, we can say that the prices to repair a car using a bench are counted in several thousand euros. Of course, depending on the damage and the model in question, prices can fluctuate a lot. For example, after an accident in which the entire rear of a 40.000-euro premium car had to be renewed, the final repair price reached 35.000 Euros. A price that no individual in their right mind would pay, but that can end up being realized if it is an insurer that covers the damage.
At the other extreme, we also have another example where the costs are much lower, but above what anyone would want to pay in a workshop. The owner of a 2009 Toyota Avensis had to pay 2.500 Euros for the sheet metal and paint repairs, because it had to be put on a bench. The mishap came from his carelessness on a field day, in which he forgot to apply the handbrake. The car hit a stone with enough force to cause deformation where it shouldn't.
Without bench but many pieces
You can also have a mishap in which, although you do not have to put the car on the bench, many parts of the bodywork have been deformed. For example, an accident in which you have to replace and fix rear fender, center pillar, doors and roof, the price in a low-cost utility vehicle, can be in the 800 euros of parts plus another 700 of labor. Those prices go up to 2.000 euros for original elements plus 1.800 euros for the hours invested by the workshop in a premium utility vehicle. It is a job that normally requires radial cutting, welding and painting, so There are many hours of work that must be billed.
Those that suppose the breakage of the motor
The brands usually put all the means so that a minor fault does not end deteriorating the engine until it breaks. hence the engine failure warning and that most modern cars go into “emergency mode” the moment your multiple detectors discover a problem.
Timing belt breakage / timing chain stretching
Even with all this, there escaping faults to the growing control systems no matter how far they advance. The timing belt break It is the most fearful mishap for owners who know something about engines. The mechanics themselves warn of the importance of its replacement when the time comes, since if it breaks, it often means a problem in the engine so serious that it can mean changing it for another.
The solution usually goes through buy a second hand engine in a scrapyard with an invoice that varies a lot depending on the brand and the engine, but that added to the labor can from 2.000 euros and up to 8.000 euros. There are much more expensive motors (and much more expensive labor). You only have to imagine a huge twin-turbocharged V8 with more than 500 hp made by some premium brand to imagine that this bill can be much more painful.
Also you can choose to try to repair the engine, whose bill may be even higher. An option that is usually more recommended if it is a valuable classic or there are no engines available for the model and its owner does not want to part with it.
To avoid breaking the Timing belt, respect the kilometers indicated by the manufacturer to change it and even advance it if your car spends a lot of time idling. After all, it's time spent running that doesn't show up on the odometer. A very common case in taxi drivers.
If your car uses a distribution chain Instead of a belt, you should know that it is an element that does not have to change during the useful life of the engine. It is only usually changed if it reaches very high mileage. In principle, it is strong enough that you can not worry, but keep in mind that high temperatures and very fast rev changes They make her suffer more than she should. Especially combining the two things at the same time. This does not mean that you can not demand your car, but keep these factors in mind to use it responsibly.
engine block rupture
It's weird, but it happens. Engine factories are usually very careful throughout the industrial process so that there are no defects or lack of quality in the materials. However, despite this, you can get a defective unit that if the house does not take responsibility for it, it can carry an invoice equal to the one mentioned with the breakage of the strap of distribution.
Of course, this can also come from the misuse of the engine or its modification. Both cases with plenty of reasons to lose any warranty or coverage of the brand and have to pay for another motor along with its installation.
Damage to the head gasket
Failure of this element does not exactly break the engine, but it does cause its failure. opening in two parts by uncoupling between cylinder head and block. Also, although the bill to repair it is not as high as the ones mentioned above, it does involves a large outlay. This is because various components such as the cylinder head itself, bolts, other gaskets, etc. have to be repaired or replaced.
The bill is usually between 1.000 euros and 2.500 euros. It goes without saying that these bills can be much higher depending on the model to be repaired.
It is a fault that usually appears with the engine overheating. A problem that can be derived from the malfunction of the car cooling system, and that current models usually mitigate by entering the aforementioned "emergency mode". Of course, if the car continues to run and the owner ignores the warnings, it can lead to a problem with the head gasket. Another reason is modifying the car to perform beyond its intended performance.
Transmission faults
Gearbox
When the problem is the gearbox, the bill can also be very high. Especially if it's automatic. Replacing a broken gearbox can be between 600 euros, with a second-hand manual plus installation, and the 2.000 euros for an automatic. As always, prices likely to increase depending on the model.
To avoid breaking the gearbox, respect the mileage indicated for change your oil y avoid driving with continuous acceleration. In the article Caring for an automatic gearbox you have more detail to extend its life. Modifications that affect engine power excessively can also put extra work on the transmission that it is not built for.
Clutch and dual-mass flywheel
The clutch is a wear element that will eventually need a change if used enough. In addition, its replacement is usually accompanied by the change of dual-mass flywheel to take advantage of the fact that the operation is carried out. In many places they do it by policy and even if it is not, it has the advantage of avoiding paying labor twice. The price of changing them is normally among the 900 for cars lowcost and the 1.800 euros for the premium.
As it is a wear element, if it has to be replaced within a normal mileage, it should not be considered a fault. These are approximately 300.000 km with almost all motorway routes and about 150.000 with most city routes.
We can create the fault ourselves misusing it with habits like keep your foot on the pedal of the clutch during traffic lights or drop it abruptly without being in the correct revolutions. Avoid doing these things if you don't want to shorten its lifespan. You may check yourself if you have a worn clutch following a few simple steps.
faults in the turbo
Un old acquaintance of expensive breakdowns that can appear in our car. the turbo works at very high revolutions to blow air into the engine so it can perform better. when it works without proper lubrication or submit to high temperatures then suddenly shutting off the engine can lead to damage.
To avoid this, leave the car at idle a bit before starting off and let it on for a couple of minutes before turning it off if you are coming from a long trip or have been demanding a lot from the engine. In the article Things to be aware of with my turbo engine you have more tips to take care of it correctly.
If you don't get used to these habits, you may have to pay between 800 euros and 2.000 depending on your brand. A curiosity is that there are turbos like those of some Porsche models that cost up to 10.000 euros because they use materials from the aeronautical industry. Of course, thanks to this they are much more resistant to temperature and high revolutions.
Gas management problems
Particulate filter faults
modern cars they have more and more systems to reduce their emissions. Among them, one of the ones that can cost us the most money if it breaks down is the particle filter. Its replacement usually around a cost of between 1.000 and 2.000 euros. So, although it is an element that has a self-regeneration system, it is advisable to get used to it. take the car high revs for a few kilometers to help the system stay in good condition. With that you go on the highway near the 3.000 revolutions for 25 km should be enough.
EGR valve faults
Like the particulate filter, it is a part responsible for reducing the pollution emitted by the car. It is subjected to high temperatures and soot resulting from engine combustion. To avoid that it ends up spoiling, it is convenient to carry out the same operation that we have indicated for the particle filter. If it is not done from time to time and it completely spoils the bill, it is between 350 euros and 1.300 euros. If you want to know more about it, we recommend the article The EGR valve: what it is, how it works.