The new report looked at 29 common car parts that fail or need replacing across petrol, diesel, and electric cars. To find the average price for each repair, researchers added up costs from mechanics, manufacturers, and industry databases. Beyond just the price, the team also looked at how often drivers search for these parts online and how much the repair affects a vehicle’s safety and resale value. The list was ranked by the average replacement cost in euros to see which repairs are most expensive.
Here are the top 10 most expensive car repairs in 2026:
| Car Part | Estimated Replacement Cost | Average Cost (in euros) | Monthly Searches | Safety Impact % |
| Hybrid or electric battery | 5000-20000€ | 12,500 | 158,040 | 45.00% |
| Engine and Cylinders | 1500-10000€ | 5,750 | 343,800 | 40.00% |
| Transmission | 1000-6000 € | 3,500 | 508,870 | 30.00% |
| Inverter (EV/Hybrid) | 900-6000 € | 3,450 | 154,800 | 20.00% |
| Automatic gearbox | 1500-4000 € | 2,750 | 1,483,980 | 35.00% |
| Heat Pump | 1200 – 4000 € | 2,600 | 1,981,880 | 20.00% |
| Turbocharger | 1000-3500 € | 2,250 | 125,290 | 12.00% |
| Infotainment System (especially touchscreens) | 800-3500€ | 2,150 | 130,380 | 10.00% |
| Head gasket | 750-3500€ | 2,125 | 1,102,070 | 15.00% |
| Airbags | 1000-3000 € | 2,000 | 954,550 | 25.00% |
You can access the complete research findings here.
1. Hybrid or electric battery
- Estimated replacement cost: €5,000-€20,000
- Average cost: €12,500
- Monthly searches: 158,040
- Safety impact: 45%
Hybrid or electric battery replacement is the most expensive car repair in 2026. The average cost is €12,500, though prices can reach €20,000 depending on the vehicle model and battery capacity. With 158K monthly searches for battery replacements, this remains a top concern for EV and hybrid owners. Battery failure can leave a vehicle completely stranded and reduce its resale value.
2. Engine and Cylinders
Engine and cylinder replacements come second, costing an average of €5,750 for petrol and diesel cars. Depending on the engine’s size and whether the owner chooses a used, refurbished, or brand-new part, the total bill can range from €1,500 to €10,000. The high cost is a constant worry for owners, especially since engine health is so crucial for safety (40%).
3. Transmission
Transmission replacements rank third, typically costing around €3,500. The final bill is often unpredictable, ranging from as low as €1,000 for simple manual fixes to €6,000 for complex automatic or dual-clutch systems. This price swing explains why it is among the most heavily researched repairs in Europe, with more than 500K drivers looking for information online.
4. Inverter (EV/Hybrid)
Inverters for electric and hybrid vehicles rank fourth, with repair costs averaging €3,450. The component converts battery power to run the electric motor, and repair costs are different by model, starting from €900, going up to €6,000, a cost that is becoming a more common concern as more drivers switch to green-energy transports.
5. Automatic gearbox
Automatic gearbox repairs round out the top five, averaging €2,750. Depending on the damage, a fix can run between €1,500 and €4,000. Because a faulty gearbox directly affects vehicle control, drivers are becoming cautious. This safety concern has driven almost 1.5 million people to search for information online, making it the most researched repair in the study.
The auto expert from eCarsTrade commented on the study:
“If you’re making a choice whether to go electric or stick with petrol, these repair costs should be part of your decision. Battery and inverter replacements are expenses most traditional car owners never had to think about, but they’re now sitting alongside the engine and gearbox repairs that have always been expensive. A single major failure can sometimes cost more than your car’s worth, so you should consider how long you plan to keep the vehicle and whether an extended warranty makes sense for your situation. Knowing what could go wrong, and what it’ll cost, helps you avoid nasty surprises down the line.”
