Mufflers reduce engine noise and emissions by slowing down the escape of exhaust gasses. Every state requires that all vehicles driven on public roads have fully functioning mufflers. If your muffler is damaged, it can result in a loud rattling noise when you accelerate. It can also lead to soot buildup in the tailpipe or carbon monoxide build-up in the vehicle’s cabin.

Mufflers might seem like a small part to having to replace, but they can cost more than you think. Mufflers can cost a different amount depending on the make and model of your vehicle. You might find that some cars are much more affordable to work on than others, even for this simple repair. 

It can cost anywhere between $150 and $650 to weld a muffler. In contrast, having a muffler system completely replaced can easily cost $1000 or more. A small muffler repair can cost $30 to $50, but because welding takes time and skill, it’s going to cost at least $150 to have any welding work done on a muffler. This cost can increase to $500 or more depending on complexity, but that is still a lot cheaper than the $1000 or so it can cost to completely replace a muffler.

Luxury vehicles might have more expensive parts to replace and you might find that there are other parts that need to be replaced in some cases.

If you are not sure what the muffler replacement cost is for your vehicle’s muffler, you can always reach out to your dealership or a local shop to find out what the estimated cost might be.

How Much do Mufflers Cost to Replace?

If you are wondering if the make and model of your car will affect your overall muffler cost, this is a good assumption. Make and model can have a lot to do with the cost of replacing your muffler as well as the labor that is included in the job.

A luxury vehicle can cost more to repair and you should be aware of this factor when you are looking into having this replacement process done at the dealership. The labor at luxury car dealerships can be twice or three times as much as your labor at a regular mechanic.

This is one of the areas where cars that are not made in the US can cost way more to repair, even if you have a simple part to replace. The sticky factor is that most of these luxury parts are difficult to replace if you do not have the right tools.

This is why luxury cars are often so expensive to work on. You will almost always have to use the dealership to take care of these needs due to the difficulty related to tools and parts.

How Much Do the Parts for a Muffler Replacement Cost?

You might be thinking that you will do your muffler replacement yourself. If you have some skills with mechanical processes, you might be able to do this process without help. This will save you on labor and you will not have too much time in the process overall.

If you want to know what the actual parts cost, you will need to consider your make and model of vehicle. Most cars have similar costs for this service, but there are some vehicles that will cost you much more than you expect.

You might not need all of these parts for your muffler replacement, but you should consider that they could be included in your overall cost. Other factors that you need to consider are shipping for the parts that you need.

There are kits that are sold that include the basic parts that you need, but if you need any additional parts then you will have to pay to ship for those parts.

Adding shipping to your costs can make your cost to replace your muffler $200-$500 more expensive. This is particularly true if you need a heavy part like a turbocharger.

This is not a common additional cost, but you should make sure that you know which parts you will need before you embark on this repair by yourself.

How much does it cost to weld a muffler?

It costs at least $150 to $650 dollars to weld a muffler. While it’s true that a minor muffler repair can cost as little as $50, if any welding needs to be done, the repair price will increase by at least $100. Depending on the complexity and location of the weld, it could cost $500 or more in labor to weld a muffler. With that being said, it’s often much cheaper to have a muffler welded compared to completely replacing it.

In this article, we will detail the average cost of welding a muffler. We will also compare that figure to the cost of completely replacing a muffler.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Muffler?

The average cost for a replacement muffler is about $250 for the parts. This cost depends on the vehicle in question and how much of the muffler system needs to be replaced. Labor is not included in this price. The labor cost to replace a muffler can run anywhere between $200 and $500, depending on the vehicle and its muffler system’s complexity and ease of access.

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that there are some cases in which the cost to replace a muffler can be as high as $2,000 or more. This can happen when things like the catalytic converter have to be replaced as part of the repair.

How Much Does Labor Cost Around the US?

Labor can vary in different areas around the US. If you live in a city or you are in an area that does not have access to mechanics within an easy driving distance, you might find that you will pay more for labor.

Likewise, luxury car repairs are always much more expensive than repairs done to domestic cars. Luxury repairs can be far more expensive due to both the parts and the labor.

The labor at luxury car dealerships can be as much as $200 an hour, even for a muffler replacement. This can add to your cost in a big way, even if you only have to pay for a couple of hours of labor.

This can be an even bigger expense if there are other issues that need to be repaired or replaced besides your muffler. Labor on average at mechanic shops in the US is $40-$60.

In areas that are cities or don’t have access to mechanic shops, you can expect something more like $80-$100 an hour. The parts might also vary, but the labor will often be more than half of your overall cost for any service that needs to be done for your vehicle.

How Can You Save Money on a Muffler Replacement?

If you do not want to replace the whole muffler, you might be able to do some other services to avoid replacing the muffler itself. You can sometimes patch the muffler rather than replace it.

This might lead to having to replace the muffler in another year or so, but it could help you to have the time to save money for your replacement muffler.

The cost to patch a muffler is between $160 and $240. This might not pan out if you have a cheaper make and model of car to work on, but if you have a luxury car, this could save you hundreds of dollars and make your muffler last for a few more years.

Warranties can also take care of this need. You should make sure that the warranties that you took out when you bought your car do not cover this replacement.

Some people will pay for the replacement cost without realizing that they have already paid for a warranty that covers this service.

Warranties can cost as much as $500-$1,500, so you should make sure that you know what is covered under your warranty services. This kind of mistake can nullify your efforts to pay for your needs in advance.

This is why it’s so important to make sure that you are aware of the conditions and coverages that you are paying for. If you have a luxury car, this is particularly important.

How Long Do Mufflers Last?

Mufflers last about five to seven years on average.  This means that you will have to budget for this cost at least once in the lifespan of your ownership of most vehicles. If you own a car for a very long time, you might have to pay for this service twice.

Some other factors that can lead to you needing to pay for this service twice are weather-related, if your life in an area that uses deicer on the roads, your muffler might get holes or have damage that has been caused by the chemicals that have been put on the road in the winter.

This means that you might have to spend as much as $1,400-$1,800 if you drive in an area that has tough winters. In places that do not use de-icer on the roads, you might find that you never have to replace a muffler in all the years that you own a car.

This is definitely a much more common service need on the East Coast or in Canada.

What if my Entire Exhaust System is Damaged?

If your entire exhaust system is damaged and not just your muffler, you might expect that you will need to spend a little more on this repair.  The total cost on average to replace your entire exhaust system is $500-$700.

This might be more if you have a luxury vehicle that you are having to care for over the long term.  The entire exhaust system can cost as much as $1,500-$2,000. In exotics, this might be many thousands more.

This is why many people do not drive their exotics in the winter in areas that get ice and snow. You can save a lot of money by not driving your car in these conditions, and if there is public transit where you live, this might be a good choice for you to make if you are worried about the cost of replacement of your exhaust system.

Replacing Your Muffler is Not That Expensive

Replacing a muffler is not that expensive, but you should be prepared that sometimes that cost for the muffler is not where your expenses end. If you just need to replace your muffler, this might be pretty affordable, but sometimes the costs for other parts of your exhaust system can be very expensive.

If you live in an area that uses deicer on the roads, you might expect to have to replace your muffler or exhaust system at least once during the years that you own your vehicle.

Planning for a muffler replacement at least once in the time that you own your vehicle is a good rule of thumb.