How Long Is Reasonable For A Car Repair?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

For a lot of the smaller repairs and fixes, just

a few hours

is a reasonable time for car repairs. There shouldn’t be a problem if the shop tells you to sit-in or come back later in the day.

How long do most car repairs take?

The current nationwide average for cycle time is

12 days

. The key word here is average because many jobs go much quicker and yet there are some that take much longer. So you may ask why this is so hard to figure this out.

Why do car repairs take so long?

Ordering Parts

While repair shops keep certain supplies on hand,

many repairs require parts to be ordered from elsewhere

. If you drive a newer, more common car, the necessary parts can usually be acquired in a day or two. Some parts can be harder to come by, however, especially if you drive a less common vehicle.

How do you know if your mechanic is ripping you off?

  1. Scare Tactics.
  2. Fixing the Body Paint. …
  3. Replacing the Air Filter. …
  4. Offering a Free Inspection or Tire Rotation. …
  5. Additives. …
  6. Not Grouping Repairs When Calculating Labor. …
  7. One Fix After Another. …
  8. Charging Full Price for Remanufactured Parts. …

How long does it take for a mechanic to replace an engine?

Replacing a car engine typically takes

eight to 15 hours

depending on the make and model of your car and the mechanic you choose. However, your mechanic may quote you for a longer wait time, especially if the parts in your engine are hard to find. For an exact repair time estimate, contact your mechanic.

How long does it take to fix a rear bumper?

Repairs can take anywhere

between 3 hours and 3 days

to complete. It all depends on the extent of the damage and whether the auto shop needs to order additional parts. The shop may also need to repair sensors or cameras that could’ve been damaged in the crash, too. A replacement usually takes 2 to 5 days.

How long does it take to fix a fender?

Small to medium fender repairs are easy to handle. An expert technician will only take

3-5 hours

to detach the old fender and install a new fender. However, the paint job and curing can increase the total time for replacement by a couple of weeks.

How wrecked car frames are straightened?

Can a mechanic keep my car if I refuse to pay?

Finally, a garage has what is called a lien over your vehicle if you do not pay their bill. This means

they can legally refuse to return the vehicle until you pay

.

Can a garage hold your car?

Can a garage keep your car?

A garage that has repaired your car has what is known as a ‘lien’. This is the right to keep the car until they’ve been paid for all work done

. If you take your car away without authorisation you risk both civil proceedings and criminal prosecution.

Do I have to pay a garage if they don’t fix my car?

If you told the garage to do whatever needs to be done to fix the car, then you gave them the right to decide what work to do.

You’ll have to pay if the work was necessary and the price is reasonable

.

What should you not say to a mechanic?

Do mechanics lie about brakes?

18 Mechanics Lie:

The Brakes Are Bad

However, a mechanic will often encourage the customer to replace everything when, in reality, simply cleaning the brake rotors can fix the issue. But because people are worried, they instantly pay for way more than they need to.

Can you negotiate with mechanic?

Most people simply don’t realize

they can negotiate auto repair work

. And while some itemized charges may stand firm (like some parts prices), others have significant wiggle-room (shop mark-ups are often as much as 200% to cover operations).

Is it worth it to put a new engine in a car?


In some cases, engine replacement is a viable alternative to acquiring a new vehicle

. It can be done for a fraction of the cost, plus you avoid taxes, license fees, and insurance expenses that are incurred in vehicle replacement. Replacing an engine can save money and extend vehicle life.

How much do mechanics charge to replace an engine?

The shop rate can vary greatly, from as little as $90 per hour to over $150 per hour. So using a low-end shop rate of $110 and a high of $150, the labor on a typical engine replacement can run anywhere from

$1,100 to $1,800

.

How much does replacing a car engine cost?

Generally, used engines on most passenger cars can be replaced for $3000-$4000 and new engines can be

between $4000-$6000

. Some will be more, some less. The average price of a used car is well over $8000, and if you’re looking for a model 3-4 years old, that number jumps to over $20,000.

How much does it cost to fix a bumper that is falling off?

If your bumper is hanging off, one would half assume you incurred enough damage to need to have the bumper replaced. This will cost more than just having a scratch or a dent removed. Bumper costs will probably run you around

$200 – $500 for a front bumper or a rear bumper

.

How long does it take a body shop to fix a bumper?

Conventionally, bumper repair takes

not more than 3 days

, and sometimes if the repair is small this time can reduce to a day too.

How much is a back bumper?

Bumper Replacement Costs

According to Cost Helper, a new bumper for a passenger car can cost anywhere

between $100 and $1,000

. Installation and painting the new bumper can cost between $200 and $600. Bumpers for pickup trucks, SUVs and luxury vehicles will have higher costs.

How long will it take to replace car door?

On average, it usually takes

around two hours

for an auto body repair shop to install a replacement car door on your vehicle. This time can vary depending on how extensive the damage is or how much custom work will be required.

How long does it take to repair front bumper?


About 3 hours or 3 days

. Front bumper repairs are pretty straightforward and it can take only 3 hours to fix the bumper. However, the new paintwork and paint curing can take up to 3 days.

How much does a new fender cost?


Small fender repair costs anywhere between $500-$1,500

. Medium repairs of several fender kits can cost anywhere between $1,500 – $4,000. Medium repairs cover lights, grill, and bumper fixes.

What happens if frame breaks while driving?

So, what happens if a frame breaks while driving? Well, your car would not necessarily split into two halves as filmed in movies.

The rust, however, can weaken a part of the car

. The rust can further lead to a car part falling off during motion, which could look weird.

Does a bent frame mean the car is totaled?

The determination that an automobile has endured frame damage is an unpleasant surprise to say the least. If this determination is made by your insurance company or automotive technician, you might assume your vehicle is totaled. However,

frame damage does not guarantee the vehicle is considered a total loss

.

How likely is a car totaled if frame is bent?

Frame damage does not automatically mean the car is a loss. However,

depending on how severe the damage is, the car could potentially have structural total loss

. If the damage is so extensive that it is not even certain if a repair can be completed, the car can be considered to be at a total structural loss.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.