The Most Expensive Car Repairs You Didn’t See Coming

Cars are becoming more advanced as time passes, which is no bad thing. Advances in technology mean that our cars are now safer than ever, with more efficient engines, more comfortable cabins, and impressive electronic features. Unfortunately, the increase in complexity also means that there’s more to go wrong, and when they do, parts are also invariably more expensive to replace. A basic example would be the cost of a traditional headlight compared to a headlight with LED daytime running lights, standard on even the most humble models like the Toyota Corolla.

As the parts below are becoming standard in modern vehicles, it is more likely that we’ll have to foot the bill for one or more of these features at some point. Without further ado, here are some of the most common standard features that are likely to result in an unexpectedly large bill.

Broken Or Cracked LED Lights

Fancy LED headlamps used to be reserved for high-end luxury cars, but they’re increasingly becoming standard fitment on entry-level sedans, hatches, and SUVs. These headlights are not only more effective but allow designers to play around with LED technology, adding another layer of style to a car. Just think of all the different LED daytime running light patterns out there. The unfortunate downside is the cost of replacing an LED headlight or taillight, which is more complex than the old-school bulbs covered by a piece of glass.

We browsed around on MBOEMPARTS to find OEM replacement parts for Mercedes-Benz models. Naturally, the high-end models boast model-specific features, but replacing one headlight for a base 2020 A-Class costs $1,400.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Headlamps: $3,567

The headlamp assembly for the 2015-2017 S-Class S 550 and S 63 AMG models retails for $3,567 for one headlight assembly. If you opted for an S-Class or S-Class Coupe with Swarovski LED Intelligent Headlights, you’re looking at roughly $10,000 for a set. As a bonus, these prices don’t include postage or fitment, but that’s likely the least of your problems. This is another prime example of why it’s never a good idea to buy a cheap, used luxury car.

Spilling Your Coffee On Your Car’s Infotainment Controller

Another feature becoming increasingly common in cars today is the center console controller. It can be a touchpad, dial, button, scroller, or even a smaller touchscreen display beneath the main display. Any electronics positioned in the area next to cupholders containing any kind of beverage is a clear hazard to these systems. Heck, these controllers don’t even have to be near a cupholder. You could be holding it in your hand, encounter an unexpected pothole, and before you know it, your dashboard is pumpkin spice flavored. Unsurprisingly, the controllers are expensive to replace without taking into account the knowledge and time required to fit these new parts.

Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 Infotainment Controller: $382

This controller is compatible with various Mercedes-Benz models from 2019-2023, mainly the CLA, GLB, and GLA models. This part consists of a square-shaped touchpad and physical shortcut buttons, used to control various features housed in the infotainment display.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Controller: $431

The other controller is for 2015-2019 Mercedes-Benz models, specifically the last-generation C-Class. It is a curved infotainment screen controller that can perform various functions in the car via the pad or the shortcut buttons. Like the previous part, it also sits in a place where drinks can easily spill on it.

Digital Displays In Modern Cars

It’s not just spilling drinks that can destroy the electronics in cars. The abundance of screens provides ample opportunity for more failures and repairs. The Tesla lineup features a large infotainment screen and digital gauge clusters, which are known to fail under certain conditions. Re l Deal, a Tampa-based Tesla and EV repair shop, offers a replacement instrument cluster for the Tesla Model S and Model X from $499. According to the same chain, getting this done at a Tesla workshop results in an average cost of around $1,500.

The other issue is age. As we all know, luxury cars tend to lose value quickly, and the drop is even more drastic if they’re electric vehicles (EVs).

A base Mercedes-Benz EQB cost roughly $55,000 when it was new in 2022, but lightly used examples are already selling for $30,000. It’s nearly half the value gone in two years.

Imagine buying an EQS with Merc’s famous hyperscreen 10 years from now. New , you’ll pay roughly $10,000 to add it as an option, but you can already buy used examples on eBay for $3,700. If you somehow manage to crack that screen once the value of the car has dropped enough, the car will be a write-off.

Broken Adaptive Suspension Dampers

Although less likely to affect the average owner on a day-to-day basis, the failure of adaptive dampers will still affect many cars as they age. Adaptive damping is becoming more common because it allows an automaker to alter the car’s suspension and handling characteristics at the touch of a button.

Firmer suspension allows for better dynamics in sports cars, whereas a softer setup is better for luxury cars or cruising. Although this system was previously reserved for luxury and performance cars, the technology is becoming more common. Ho da recently patented a system that scans the road ahead for imperfections, and this will likely trickle down to its own models in time.

Currently, there are two main adaptive damping systems used by automakers:

• Magnetic dampers: These dampers use a magnetic field to activate a magnetorheological fluid that contains iron particles to make the system firm up when needed.
• Air suspension: This system has been around for decades and is a common feature on heavy vehicles such as SUVs and luxury barges. It consists of airbags or tubes with a variable level of pressurized air inside.

According to multiple forums across multiple brands, the cost to replace magnetic dampers ranges from $700 to $1,500 per corner. As with most things in life, you can import cheaper knock-off parts from China, but if you’re following that route, you probably shouldn’t have purchased whatever performance car you’re running in the first place.

The cost of replacing an air suspension ranges from $2,000 to $7,000, depending on how complex the system is. The price also depends on how much damage was done. If you’re lucky, an accident only damaged the air strut, in which case it’s roughly $500 to replace. But as a car ages, you’ll need to replace the air compressor, air tank, air lines, valve manifold, management system, and all the air struts. Basically, when your $20,000 Land Rover LR4’s air suspension fails, you either write it off or convert to a conventional steel suspension.

Large Single-Piece Stamped Body Panels

Large pieces of stamped bodywork are becoming the norm because it saves automakers time and money. Unfortunately, customers pay the price. Just one ding in a car park can necessitate replacing one entire panel. This happened in the case of an owner who was involved in a minor fender-bender incident in his Rivian R1T. The R1T is an expensive electric pickup truck that retails from $69,900 before any deductions or taxes. De pite looking like an incident that had minor damage (as reported by Business Insider), the truck’s repair bill was $42,000.

Another scrape resulted in a $21,000 repair bill. This $42k bill is down to the way Rivian produces the R1T, which is extremely unlucky for the other driver (and their insurance company) who rear-ended the truck. The impact damaged a large stamped panel that runs from the rear bed corner to the front A-pillar. That means that any damage to the rear fender not only requires changing a large panel, but also removing the windshield, roof, and other areas. Other costs add up, including repair to the surrounding chassis/frame, painting, and general labor. Stamped panels that cover a large area are very common, but this panel is clearly one you don’t want to hit, even lightly.

Replacing A Plug-In Hybrid Battery

Usually, one of the most expensive parts to replace in a car is a significant engine component or drivetrain part such as the gearbox. But hybrids, which are becoming increasingly common, add another level of complexity to the car. Just like other modern features, the hybrid system is expensive to repair or replace. The battery is at the heart of the plug-in hybrid system, which – you guessed it – is a costly part to replace. As more cars adopt either mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains, this is an issue that will likely become more prevalent over time. We checked a few online retailers to see how much the average hybrid battery costs without fitting.

• Mercedes-Benz’s MB-USA store has a drive motor battery pack for the 2019-2023 E-Class and CLS-Class for their mild hybrid powertrains. It is paired with a 3.0-liter inline-six engine. The part has an online price of $2,400, which would require additional fitting costs.
• Capo Valley Toyota Parts Center advertises a drive motor battery pack for the 2019-2022 Toyota Prius that costs $2,079. It is part of the Prius’s full-hybrid system, which degrades with time. Like the Mercedes-Benz version, the part is high-voltage and will require specialist fitting.
• The Toyota Prius Prime is an impressive hybrid, but so is the price of its drive motor battery pack. It costs $4,100 on Toyota Lakeland’s online parts outlet. The pack also fits the Corolla, Prius, and Prius Prime, with model years ranging from 2016 to 2022.

According to Toyota, a replacement hybrid battery will cost $2,000-$8,000. Even so, batteries in EVs and hybrids are reliable and have a failure rate of only 1.5%, according to Recurrent.

Losing Your Electronic Key Or Smart Key

This final issue that could happen to your car is also one of the most common. All you have to do is lose your key, the single most important item that the driver must have in their possession. Without the key, a car is just a locked shed. Unfortunately, replacing a key can be expensive depending on what kind of key the car comes with, and as technology advances, this, too, has become more expensive to fix. There are various types of keys. J.D Power was on hand to advise us of the associated cost for the multiple types of keys when replaced:

• In older models, a mechanical key you insert into the ignition cylinder unlocks the vehicle. A replacement would cost around $10-$12.
• The remote key allows you to lock or unlock your car from a fair distance. Replacing it will cost about $20.
• A Switchblade is a spring-loaded key that folds into the fob, resembling a switchblade. A Replacement usually costs $125.
• A Transponder key, a computer chip-based ignition key that relies on a wireless connection to your car, costs $200-$250 to replace.
• Smart key: This is a proximity sensor-based key, also termed “keyless ignition.” It allows the doors to unlock when the key is nearby, and the car starts with just the push of a button. A replacement would require spending around $320 out of pocket.

As technology advances and as cars become replaced with newer models, the likelihood of having a key towards the bottom of that list increases. Many new cars use the transponder design now since it is superior for protecting against theft: only a key with the transponder code can activate the car’s ignition. Paying up to $500 for a key – as well as the inconvenience of being stranded or unable to use the car – means that having a double (a spare) could save time. Aftermarket keys (non-OEM keys) are also cheaper, but their availability varies by manufacturer and model, with newer smart keys being harder to replace.

The BMW Display Key: $695

If you thought the cost of replacing a smart key was high, the BMW Display Key is in another league. Despite its expensive price of $695 as per the Get BMW Parts online retailer, it remains an impressive key indeed. The key advertised is for the 5-Series and X3 but is also available for a range of other premium models. First revealed in 2015, the key features a 2.2″ display that performs many functions through swipes and gestures. It can monitor and provide maintenance messages, read out the remaining range of the car, show information such as the status of the windows (open or closed), and even adjust the climate control or heating. Its most impressive feature is the remote parking system that allows the owner or driver to remotely park the car via a series of on-screen prompts and options. Rather rather than simply being lost, there is a high chance of theft considering the key’s appeal and cost.