Home › Repairs › Engine

How Much Does Engine Replacement Cost?

Updated October 2026 By RepairCostLab Editorial Team

Expect to pay $3,600 to $8,700 at an independent shop for a typical car, and up to $10,100 at a dealership. Replacing an engine is the largest repair most drivers will face. It can still make sense when the rest of the car is solid.

Parts$2,500–$5,500
Labor$1,100–$3,200
Shop time10–20 hours
DIY difficultyPro only (5/5)

Estimate your cost

Vehicle type Where you'll get it fixed Your area

–estimated total

Parts –

Labor –

Time –

Ranges cover aftermarket to OEM parts and typical book labor times. How we calculate this.

Engine Replacement cost by vehicle type

Vehicle	Parts	Labor	Total
Compact / economy car e.g. Civic, Corolla, Elantra	$2,500–$5,500	$1,100–$3,200	$3,600–$8,700
Midsize sedan / crossover e.g. Camry, Accord, RAV4, CR-V	$2,875–$6,325	$1,210–$3,520	$4,085–$9,845
Truck / full-size SUV e.g. F-150, Silverado, Tahoe	$3,250–$7,150	$1,265–$3,680	$4,515–$10,830
Luxury / European e.g. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus	$4,500–$9,900	$1,430–$4,160	$5,930–$14,060

Independent shop, average US labor rates. Used engines at the low end, remanufactured long blocks with warranty at the high end. Fluids, gaskets and mounts add $200–$600.

Independent shop vs. dealer vs. chain

Where	Hourly rate	Typical total
Independent shop	$110–$160	$4,085–$9,845
Chain (Midas, Firestone…)	$120–$175	$4,195–$10,175
Dealership	$160–$230	$4,635–$11,385

Shown for a midsize sedan or crossover.

What does it do?

The engine converts fuel into the mechanical power that drives the car.

Signs you need this repair

Knocking or rod knock from the bottom of the engine
Severe oil consumption or blue smoke
Low compression across multiple cylinders
Seized engine after oil loss or overheating

Can you do it yourself?

Difficulty: Pro only (5/5). Requires an engine hoist, a lift and extensive experience.

Doing it yourself saves the labor portion, roughly $1,100–$3,200, so you would pay only for parts ($2,500–$5,500).

Is it worth fixing?

Only when the rest of the car is solid and the total is well below the cost of a comparable replacement car. Get a written quote and compare.

How to save money

Compare used (cheapest), remanufactured (best warranty) and rebuilt options.
Ask for a mileage history and warranty on any used engine.
Compare the total to the price of a replacement car of similar quality.

Questions to ask your mechanic

Is the engine used, rebuilt or remanufactured, and how many miles does it have?
What warranty covers parts and labor?
What else will be replaced: mounts, hoses, sensors, fluids?

Asking for a written, itemized estimate (parts, labor hours and hourly rate) is your right in most states and makes quotes easy to compare.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth replacing an engine?

If the car is in good shape otherwise and the total repair is well below the cost of a comparable replacement car, often yes.

Used or remanufactured engine?

Used engines cost less but carry unknown history; remanufactured engines are rebuilt to spec and usually come with 3-year warranties.

How long does engine replacement take?

Typically 2 to 5 working days, including parts sourcing.

Related repair costs

Sources and methodology

Estimates combine typical book labor times, current aftermarket and OEM parts prices, and 2026 US shop labor rates. See exactly how we calculate them.

Found a price that looks wrong for your area? Tell us: we review every correction.