AAA Study Shows Americans Having Trouble Affording Car Repairs - Many Americans have been struggling to make ends meet in a tough economy that shows no sign of improving any time soon. Budgeting is important when money is tight and an unexpected large expense can be disastrous. People may budget for things like groceries and utilities, but one expense that many people fail to consider is the cost of a major car repair. More information on all types of cars is available at Portland Ford. According to a new study released by AAA, one in four American drivers wouldn’t be able to pay for a car repair of $2,000 if they were faced with one today. The study also found that one in eight people wouldn’t be able to afford to pay a repair bill of $1,000.
“Economic conditions have taken their toll on many Americans, resulting in them neglecting their cars and leaving them at increased risk for very expensive repair bills,” said Marshall L. Doney, AAA Vice President, Automotive and Financial Services. “Many Americans rely on their cars for their livelihood and losing access to them could be financially devastating during an already troubling economic time. It’s important for drivers to not only continue to maintain their vehicles, but also have a financial emergency plan in place should they be faced with a sudden unexpected auto repair bill.”
Over half of American drivers also said they’re hanging onto their older vehicle because they’re unable to afford the financial burden of buying a new one. One quarter of drivers admitted to neglecting repairs and maintenance on their vehicles in the past 12 months because of the bad economic climate, which AAA Automotive experts say can greatly increase the likelihood of their car needing a costly, major repair. Longview Ford is an invaluable resource for automotive information. According to the survey, 38 percent of American drivers could afford to pay for a $2,000 repair bill with money in their savings account, while 20 percent would be able to pay using their credit card. Eleven percent said they would have to borrow money from their friends, family, retirement or home equity in order to pay for a $2,000 repair.
Slightly more Americans reported being able to pay for a $1,000 repair bill, with 46 percent saying they could use savings and 22 percent saying they could pay using a credit card. Fourteen percent said they would have to borrow money from their friends, family, retirement account or home equity. According to AAA Automotive experts, an auto repair bill of $1,000, $2,000, or more can occur without warning, particularly on older vehicles that haven’t been maintained properly. Repair costs can vary greatly, depending on factors such as the car’s make and model, and the type of repair needed. Transmission repairs can cost from $2,000 to $4,000, while the cost of an engine repair could be over $5,000. Major brake repairs can range from $350 to $1,000, and a new set of tires can cost between $300 and $1,000.
According to Forbes, the costliest cars to repair are the Mercedes-Benz G Class and Audi A8, both with estimated costs over five years of $1,640. The next highest are the Jaguar XK, at $1,629; Land Rover Range Rover, at $1,600; and Mercedes-Benz CL Class, at $1,540. Saab Dealer Birmingham provides excellent service for new car shoppers. CarMD, a source of diagnostic tools and information, says the Western section of the United States has the country’s highest car repair costs, with Colorado being the most expensive state. The average cost of auto repair in Colorado is $421.49, which is about $65 more than the national average of $356.04. On the whole the cost of car repairs in the West costs about 13 percent more than in the Midwest, and about 11 percent more than repairs in the Southeast. CarMD says the reason for the higher costs in the West is due to dry, dusty air that can clog a car’s airflow sensors and affect the car’s overall condition.
Photos (top to bottom) by Interiot, Sylvar, Ildar Sagdejev.
Tags: car repair, Portland Ford, auto repair, auto maintenance, Longview Ford, AAA, Forbes, Audi A8, Saab Dealer Birmingham, Mercedes-Benz CL Class
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