What Is the Most Common Repair on a Car?

The most common repair on a car is brake pad replacement—often paired with rotor resurfacing or replacement—because brakes are designed to wear as part of normal operation. In engine-related fixes specifically, replacing a failed oxygen (O2) sensor is frequently the top check-engine-light repair reported by industry data. Routine services like oil changes and wiper blade replacements are more common overall, but they’re considered maintenance rather than repairs.

Why Brake Work Leads the Pack

Brakes convert your vehicle’s kinetic energy into heat through friction, which inherently wears down pads and, over time, rotors. Urban stop-and-go driving, mountain descents, towing, and heavy vehicles accelerate wear. Modern rotors are often thinner to save weight and dissipate heat efficiently, so many shops replace rotors with every pad set to maintain braking performance and avoid vibration.

How Often Do Brakes Need Service?

Brake pad life varies widely, but most drivers can expect pad replacement roughly every 30,000 to 70,000 miles, with rotors commonly lasting one to two pad cycles. The factors below explain why your interval might be shorter or longer.

1. Driving habits: Hard braking and tailgating wear pads faster; smooth, anticipatory driving extends life.
2. Environment: Hills, traffic, and frequent stop-start driving accelerate wear; highway cruising is easier on brakes.
3. Vehicle and load: Heavier vehicles, performance models, and towing increase brake demand.
4. Parts quality: High-quality pads and rotors resist fade and wear more evenly; cheap parts can wear quickly or cause noise.
5. Brake system condition: Sticking calipers or contaminated fluid can cause premature wear.
6. Regenerative braking (hybrids/EVs): Regeneration offloads work from friction brakes, often extending pad life significantly.

Listening for squeals, feeling pulsation in the pedal, or noticing longer stopping distances are common early warnings. Don’t wait for grinding noises, which usually indicate pads have worn to metal and are damaging rotors.

Other Repairs You’re Most Likely to Face

Beyond brakes, several components fail commonly due to age, heat, vibration, or environmental exposure. Here’s what drivers most often encounter across powertrain, electrical, and wear items.

• Oxygen (O2) sensor replacement: Frequently the top check-engine-light fix; failed O2 sensors can hurt fuel economy and emissions.
• 12-volt battery replacement: Typical lifespan is 3–5 years; heat and short trips shorten life. EVs also use 12V batteries for controls.
• Wiper blade replacement: Usually every 6–12 months; critical for visibility but considered maintenance.
• Tire puncture repair or replacement: Nails, potholes, and sidewall damage are common; rotations extend tire life.
• Ignition components: Spark plugs (often 60,000–100,000+ miles) and ignition coils can fail, causing misfires.
• Brake hydraulics and fluid service: Leaking lines, worn hoses, or old fluid can degrade performance; fluid typically serviced every 2–3 years.
• Suspension wear: Stabilizer links, control-arm bushings, and shocks/struts wear out, especially on rough roads.
• Charging system issues: Alternators and starters fail with age and heat; symptoms include dim lights or no-start conditions.

While many of these problems are predictable with age and mileage, catching them early—often via scheduled inspections—reduces cost and prevents breakdowns.

EV and Hybrid Notes

Hybrids and EVs tend to need fewer brake repairs thanks to regenerative braking, but they can see faster tire wear due to higher weight and torque. EVs lack components like spark plugs and O2 sensors, but they still rely on 12V batteries, tires, suspension, and brake fluid service.

Typical Costs in 2025 (U.S. Averages)

Prices vary by vehicle, parts quality, and region. The ranges below reflect common mainstream vehicles; luxury and performance models often cost more.

• Brake pads and rotors (per axle): $250–$600+ (pads-only service often $150–$300)
• Oxygen sensor replacement: $150–$500 (part and labor, depending on sensor location and brand)
• 12V battery: $120–$300 installed (AGM and stop-start systems can be higher)
• Wiper blades: $15–$40 per blade
• Tire puncture repair: $25–$40; tire replacement varies widely ($500–$1,000+ for a mainstream set of four)
• Spark plugs (set, labor included): $150–$500 depending on engine layout and plug type
• Ignition coil (per coil): $150–$350; some engines require replacing multiple coils
• Shocks/struts (pair): $400–$1,000+ depending on vehicle and whether mounts/bearings are included

Always request an itemized estimate and ask whether parts are OEM or high-quality aftermarket. Confirm whether rotor replacement is necessary or if resurfacing meets safety and thickness specifications.

How to Reduce How Often You Need Repairs

While wear is unavoidable, smart habits and timely maintenance can stretch intervals and lower lifetime costs.

• Drive smoothly and leave space to brake gently.
• Follow the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual (especially brake fluid and coolant service).
• Use quality parts for brakes, tires, and critical sensors.
• Rotate and align tires on schedule; keep them properly inflated.
• Test the 12V battery annually after year three (or earlier in hot climates).
• Investigate warning lights promptly—minor issues can snowball if ignored.
• Rinse underbody in winter climates to reduce corrosion on brake and fuel lines.

Preventive care doesn’t eliminate repairs, but it helps you control timing, avoid roadside breakdowns, and keep costs predictable.

The Bottom Line

Brake pad replacement is the most common car repair because brakes are designed to wear through everyday use. If you’re narrowing it to engine-related fixes, O2 sensors top recent check-engine-light repairs. Expect routine wear items—brakes, tires, batteries, and ignition components—to make up most of your repair budget, and manage them with proactive maintenance and early diagnostics.

Summary

Most common repair: brake pad (and often rotor) replacement; top engine repair: oxygen sensor replacement. Intervals depend on driving style, environment, and vehicle type. Typical costs span a few hundred dollars for brake service to modest sums for wipers and tire repairs. Smooth driving, quality parts, and timely maintenance reduce frequency and expense.

What is the most commonly repaired item on a vehicle?

Top 5 Most Common Auto Repair Items

• Brake Repairs. Worn brake pads, warped rotors, or a soft brake pedal are all signs your brakes need attention.
• Oil Changes. Fresh oil is crucial to your engine’s performance.
• Tire Replacements.
• Battery Replacement.
• Alignment and Suspension Issues.

What are considered major repairs on a car?

“Major vehicle repair” means any maintenance, repair or replacement not listed in the definition of “minor vehicle repair” in this subsection, including, but not limited to, the removal of engines, rebuilding of engines, repair of the internal components, repair or removal of differentials or axles, dismantling of …

What is the most expensive thing to fix on a car?

The most expensive thing to fix on a car is typically the engine, with replacements costing $5,000 to over $10,000, or a hybrid/electric vehicle (EV) battery, which can cost upwards of $10,000. Other costly repairs include transmission replacements (around $3,000 to $9,000) and major work on the engine head (a cracked head or blown gasket) or frame. 
Most Expensive Car Repairs

• Engine Replacement: This is often the costliest repair, especially if the entire engine needs to be replaced or rebuilt due to catastrophic failure. 
• Hybrid/EV Battery Replacement: For hybrid and electric vehicles, the high-voltage battery pack is a significant expense, often costing thousands of dollars. 
• Transmission Replacement: A full transmission replacement is a major repair that can cost several thousand dollars. 
• Bent Frame/Bodywork: Significant structural damage, such as a bent frame, requires extensive and costly repairs. 
• Airbag System Replacement: After an accident, the cost of replacing deployed airbags and related sensors can add up quickly. 
• Catalytic Converter Replacement: This part is costly to replace because it contains valuable metals like platinum and rhodium. 

Factors Influencing Cost

• Make and Model: Luxury and high-performance vehicles often have much higher repair costs due to specialized parts and labor. 
• Extent of Damage: Minor issues can sometimes escalate into major, expensive problems, such as a small engine leak leading to catastrophic failure. 
• Labor Costs: These can significantly increase the total cost of any repair. 

How to Avoid Costly Repairs

• Follow the Maintenance Schedule: Regular oil changes, fluid checks, and other routine maintenance can prevent many major issues from occurring. 
• Address Problems Promptly: Don’t ignore warning lights or strange noises. Taking your car to a mechanic as soon as a problem is noticed can prevent a small issue from becoming a major expense. 
• Follow Manufacturer Guidelines for EVs: For hybrid and electric vehicles, follow the recommended charging practices to prolong battery life. 

What is the most common car repair?

Here are the nine most common car repairs:

• Spark plug replacements. Spark plugs are small but essential, igniting the fuel to start your engine.
• Fuel cap fit.
• Replacing the oxygen sensor.
• Ensuring brakes and pads are replaced on time.
• Oil changes.
• Tire repairs and changes.
• The ignition system.
• The electrical system.