Report Says Arizona Costliest for Car Repair. Where Does Your State Rank?

CarMD analyzed roughly 80,000 repairs made on vehicles with the “check engine” light from January 1 2010, through December 31, 2010. The average cost of repairs does not include tires, brakes, or mechanical parts including belts and hoses, but does include repairs associated with the vehicle’s on-board diagnostic computer.

According to the report, drivers in Arizona paid the most for car repairs at $421.49, while commuters in the District of Columbia paid the least at $265.29. Findings are surprising, as data drawn from the most recent census shows that D.C., is one of the wealthiest and highest cost-of-living areas in the country, so why would people there pay the least for car repairs? Arizona on the other hand, enjoys warm and dry weather, which can put a strain on car parts with dust and heat-related wear and tear. The desert state pays 23 percent more than the national average of $365.04, but it’s not alone when it comes to over-paying.

States in located in the west round out the top five that pay the most, with New Mexico, Colorado, California, and Nevada paying $406.81, $397.83, $394.49, and $393.96, respectively. The top five most expensive may not come as a surprise, considering most of these states enjoy milder temperatures. More frequent driving is seen in these states, which can eventually lead to added wear and tear. As for the areas that paid the lowest, Missouri comes after D.C., paying $297.27, and Ohio pays a little over a dollar compared to Missouri’s repair costs at $298. 49.

It is important to note that the locations with lower repair costs had more gas cap-related problems, and more than 12% of the repairs in D.C. were made at no cost in terms of parts and labor charges, likely because the repairs were made under manufacturer’s warranty on newer cars.

So, where do you think your state ranks? We’ve included the top 10 most expensive and the top 10 least expensive.

Most Expensive:

1. Arizona $421.

Car Scratch Repair: Do It Yourself? | DIY Home Helpers | DIY home ...

Article by A Aaronson

There are plenty of products out there that claim to help you get rid of scratches on your vehicle. Knowing which ones to use and which to avoid is the key to deciding whether it’s worth fixing the damage yourself. You could spend a mint trying to buy all the repairs kits out there and testing them yourself.

If you decide that you want to try to fix the damage yourself, look for kits that not only get rid of the damaged spot but also help you maintain the shine of the original paint coat. Clearly, you want to get rid of the ding with out causing other damage to the paint. Leaving a dull spot behind will draw even more attention to the damaged spot.

Spending a lot of money on a car scratch repair kit sort of defeats the purpose of doing the work on your own or at home. You definitely want to find a kit that fits into your budget. There are plenty of items in the twenty to fifty dollar price ranges. If you are willing to spend a bit more you may be able to find a kit that comes with specialized polishers or color match for your car’s paint job.

Spending more doesn’t necessarily mean you are getting a better product. Look online and read reviews before spending a lot of money on a car scratch repair kit or polish. There are some really effective products out there that can be purchased for less than twenty dollars. Read the reviews and make sure that they include descriptions of the scratches. You may have a very specific scrape that the polish will not be as effective on.

One last bit of advice when working on scratches on your vehicle yourself is to be prepared to follow the directions exactly. These products are designed to work exactly as recommended. If you are not one to put the extra time in to following the directions, expect that you may not get the ideal results.

If you know that you are not great at following directions on such things as polishes, paint pens and other fix-up kits, then start looking around for a professional for the job. Sometimes the best thing to do is hire a professional for your car scratch repair. They are extremely familiar with auto body work and can likely get the damaged repaired quickly and effectively.

Find a professional that will offer you a great price. In fact, it is probably the best policy to get a few different estimates. You can shop for the best price and value, knowing that you are hiring the best professional for your vehicle.

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