Repair Costs

Car dent repair cost in 2026: paintless dent repair $125–$700 per dent, body shop $300–$1,500+ per panel, hail damage $2,500–$10,000+. Insurance tips.

A big repair bill on an old car feels like a reason to replace it — but replacing is never free. Here is the rule mechanics use, the hidden $8,000 of a “cheap” replacement, and the signs your old car is worth the money.

An oil leak repair costs anywhere from $150 for a drain plug gasket to $2,000+ for a rear main seal. Here is the price for each common leak, how to tell them apart by where the oil shows up, and which leaks you can live with.

Brake line replacement costs $150–$350 for one line and $800–$2,000+ for a full set in 2026. See parts vs labor, brake hose prices, rust-belt surcharges, and when to repair one line or replace them all.

Suspension repairs range from a $150 sway bar link to $2,500 for a full strut and alignment job. Here is what each part costs, how to recognize the symptoms, and which repairs can safely wait.

A brake fluid flush costs $90–$200 at most shops, $150–$300 at dealers. Here is what you are paying for, how often it is actually needed, the signs your fluid is due, and when a shop is upselling you.

A car AC recharge costs $150–$300, a leak repair $250–$900, and a compressor replacement $900–$2,500. Here is what each AC problem costs, how to tell which one you have, and how to avoid paying for the wrong fix.