Car Replace Spark Plugs Cost [Labor & Parts]

Spark plugs are what ignite the fuel in your engine to power your vehicle and get it moving. When your car won’t start, faulty spark plugs could be the problem.

Many vehicles will need the spark plugs replaced at some point, so it’s helpful to know how much they should cost. 

On average, total spark plug replacement will cost between $150 and $260. The average cost per part is $10 to $25.The cylinders in your engine determine how many spark plugs are needed, plus some vehicles have two spark plugs per cylinder. A 6-cylinder vehicle can expect to pay $250-$500 for total replacement versus a 4-cylinder vehicle which on average costs $100 and $300.

BMW Spark Plug Replacement Cost

The average cost to replace a BMW spark plug is $200-$350. The labor is usually most of the cost at $150-$200. The cost of the actual parts is $50-$150.

BMW Spark Plug Kit

There are actually kits for these parts that you can buy which might save you some money for this process if you have a shop that will take on the job for you if they want to charge you too much for the labor. You can buy these kits starting at $50 but they might cost as much as $155.

Honda Spark Plug Replacement Costs

The average cost to replace your Honda Accord’s spark plugs is between $109 and $182. The labor portion can be about $47 while parts can range up to as high as $60.

This estimate doesn’t include taxes or fees, any other parts that may need replacing, and depends on the specific model year.

Here’s a small breakdown of the cost of different Honda car models and their labor costs.

Model	Labor	Total
Honda CR-V	$39-$50	$55-$74
Honda Civic	$39-$50	$87-$122
Honda Accord	$39-$50	$87-$122
Honda Fit	$40-$60	$155-$189

Additional Costs of Spark Plug Parts

It’s important to know what accompanying parts are needed for the ignition in your Honda car. Depending on the size and model of the car, different parts may be needed to get the job done.

For example, the Spark Plug BPR6ES-11, which fits a Honda Accord, is priced under $3. On the other hand, there’s the Spark Plug (DIFR6A13G) (Ngk), which fits a Honda CR-Z, that costs about $28. 

Cost to Replace Spark Plugs

Replacing your spark plugs is not a major repair, and many people can do the work themselves for under $50. However, not everyone has the experience needed to work under the hood, so you may be wondering how much it will cost to have someone else replace the spark plugs for you. 

The price for replacing spark plugs may vary depending on the type of vehicle, how many spark plugs you need, and where you have the work done.

For example, taking your car to a dealership will typically cost more than taking it to an independent local mechanic. 

Estimated Cost to Replace Spark Plugs

Replacing the spark plugs is one of the easiest repairs that your vehicle will need, so you shouldn’t expect to pay a large amount for that repair alone.

It’s a good idea to have your spark plugs checked whenever you take your car in for a tune-up or oil change so that you can have them changed out before they go bad. 

The bulk of the cost to replace spark plugs (unless you do it yourself) can be attributed to labor costs. That’s because the spark plugs themselves are quite inexpensive.

Wherever you take your car for service, the mechanic shouldn’t charge you for more than one hour of labor because changing the spark plugs is a very quick and simple task. 

You should expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $150 for the labor to have your spark plugs changed. This cost will depend on the shop’s hourly rate.

Many shops charge around $85 per hour, so it will often be around $80-$85 or less for labor. 

Let’s look at a cost comparison for some different garages and auto service shops. 

Cost Comparison for Spark Plug Replacement

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When to Change Your Spark Plugs

Spark plugs in modern vehicles last much longer than those in older vehicles. At one time, people had to change theirs every 30k to 50k miles.

Now, spark plugs may last anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on your vehicle. You should check your owner’s manual and follow your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications to know when to expect to change your spark plugs. 

Some brands of spark plugs are designed to last even longer, and under the ideal engine, conditions may last for up to 120,000 miles. 

Even before your spark plugs fail completely, when they start to get worn out they can impact your vehicle’s performance. For example, you may have poorer fuel efficiency.

The spark plug’s lifespan can be impacted by various factors including what material the electrodes are made of, the thread contact and insulator nose lengths, and the projection of the electrode. 

Spark Plugs Intended Life Expectancy

Some vehicles may have specific issues related to spark plugs, such as 2004-2008 Ford trucks with 5.4L V8 and 6.8L V10 engines, as well as a few Ford Mustangs.

These vehicles come stock with spark plugs that are welded with two pieces that can break off and leave the electrode tip in the head, sometimes resulting in expensive repairs.

In cases such as this, it may be recommended to change the spark plugs before their recommended life expectancy and replace them with some aftermarket plugs that are one-piece to prevent this problem.

Sample Costs to Replace Spark Plugs

One of the main factors that impact the life expectancy of your spark plugs is what kind of materials they’re made of. There are many different types and brands of spark plugs, and some are better suited to withstand longer use and harsher conditions than others.

Types of Spark Plugs 

Copper Spark Plugs

Copper is not an ideal material to make spark plugs, and these are not as good as some of the other types. Their lifespan is among the shortest, typically lasting for only 10,000 – 20,000 miles.

Iridium Spark Plugs

These are designed to be good quality, long-lasting auto parts. As long as they’re not exposed to too much oil and spend an excessive amount of time idling, these should last for 100,000 miles or more. 

Denso Iridium Spark Plugs

One of these has an iridium center electrode and a nickel center for the ground electrode. These spark plugs last longer than copper, but they’re not usually as durable as iridium.

Usually, the ground electrode wears out before the other. These spark plugs will typically last for 60,000 – 80,000 miles. 

Platinum Spark Plugs

These are comparable to iridium spark plugs. They have a long lifespan and will last for around 100,000 miles as long as they’re not exposed to abusive conditions. 

NGK G Power Spark Plugs

This brand and type of spark plug have an iridium electrode center and a nickel construction for the ground electrode, just like the Denso iridium spark plugs. These typically last for 40,000 – 50,000 miles. 

NGK Laser Iridium Spark Plugs

This brand and type of spark plug have a platinum ground electrode and a center iridium electrode. It will last longer than the other NGK spark plug, typically for 80,000 – 100,000 miles.

E3 Spark Plugs

E3 spark plugs are a well-known brand that has a unique ground electrode that has a direct impact on the air/fuel mixture. These are durable plugs with a lifespan of around 100,000 miles.

It’s helpful to know that when you replace your vehicle’s spark plugs, they don’t have to be the same brand as the original manufacturer’s equipment. Any brand is fine as long as the fit and heat range is correct. 

The replacement plugs should typically be the same type and material, whether platinum or iridium so that you’ll get the same continued life expectancy from the replacements.

If you don’t replace your spark plugs when you should results in avoidable damage and costly repairs. Your engine performance may suffer as well as your gas mileage, all of which can cost you money. 

Ignoring a failing spark plug could lead to having to repair an ignition coil, which typically costs around $400. Even worse, replacing your catalytic converter usually costs well over $1,000.

Changing Your Own Spark Plugs

If you can change your own spark plugs, you can definitely save some money versus paying a mechanic to do the work for you. While you’re at it, you can also change the spark plug wires which is an even easier repair.

If you do the work yourself, you’ll only have to pay for the parts, which are quite inexpensive. Of course, the prices can vary based on where you buy them from and what type you need.

You should expect to spend anywhere from $15 to $165 on parts to replace your spark plugs. 

You can usually get a better price at a chain retailer like Pep Boys, Advance Auto Parts, or Walmart versus ordering them from the dealership.

For example, some of the top-selling plugs from Advance Auto Parts cost $8.79 each, which is a much better deal than spending well over $100 on parts and labor at a garage. 

To change your spark plug wires, you may spend anywhere from $75 to $150, depending on the type of vehicle and the brand of wires. 

However, to have this work done at a garage may run you anywhere from $175 to $250, so it’s a significant price difference. 

Can I Ignore the Problem and Save Money?

While you can probably drive for a while with bad spark plugs and save a few dollars, you will eventually cause expensive engine damage to your car that could have been avoided.

Particularly with BMW which is expensive to work on, you will be sad if you do not take care of this small service when it is needed. Engine repairs are often very expensive for BMW vehicles so it is well worth avoiding spending $1,000 or more on an engine repair.

Spark plugs can be a nuisance to replace but you will save yourself money in the long run by taking care of this small repair and avoiding something that could cost $1,000-$6,000.

This is one of the few BMW parts that are not expensive, so you should keep this in perspective when you are thinking about whether or not this spark plug service is worth your time and money after all.

Blown Spark Plug Repair Cost

The average cost to repair a blown spark plug will be $750. Factors that will increase or decrease your price are your vehicle model, year if there is any additional damage to the engine, and how many spark plugs need to be replaced. These factors can make the cost range from $450 to $1200.

Average Blown Spark Plug Cost By Repair Shop

Where you choose to get your vehicle serviced will make a difference in the total cost of the blown spark plug repair. Many different repair shops will charge you a different price to replace a blown spark plug in your car, so it is essential to shop around and compare prices.

Factory Dealership

The cost to replace a blown spark plug at the dealership can cost anywhere from $850 to $1,200. This price range is pretty standard for most new cars.

Local Repair Shop

If you take your car to a local mechanic to have the blown spark plug replaced, then you can expect to pay anywhere from $450 to $800.

Midas

Midas repairs are typically cheaper than the dealership. If you take your car to Midas for a blown spark plug, it can cost $650 to $850, depending on how much work needs to be done on your vehicle.

Mr. Tire

Mr. Tire repairs are slightly cheaper than the dealership and typically run between $600 to $950.

Napa

Napa repairs for a blown spark plug can cost anywhere from $775 to $1050.

These are just rough estimates, and your final cost may vary depending on the type of car you have, the severity of the problem, and the shop you take your vehicle to.

Reasons to Replace Your Spark Plug

Spark plugs are put through a lot during their lifetime. They have to withstand extreme temperatures and wear-and-tear from materials rubbing against each other over time, which causes deposits to build up on them as well.

Pre-ignition happens when there’s contact between your car’s engine mixture and this residue leading to not only excessive fuel consumption but also dangerous spikes in power. The dangers of not being attentive to the health of your Honda spark plug can cause long-term damage to your car.

One of the most important parts of making your engine run smoothly is staying on top of spark plug conditions. If they start wearing out, it can cause problems with vehicle startup and you might have very few, if any at all when compared to ignoring replacing spark plugs every so often. 

There are many components that work together for this task, but few wear down as quickly or require immediate attention as plugs do. This alone should be enough reason for Honda owners to replace these regularly or every 30K miles. 

Benefits of Replacing Your Honda Spark Plug

The spark plug is a crucial component in your engine that ensures it will start without hesitation. Along with this, new plugs provide other benefits like increased performance and better fuel efficiency.

When replacing your Honda’s spark plug, makes the engine run smoother. Plus, when you change them at set intervals in between tune-ups or during maintenance visits for any other reason; it’s like getting two cars for one price.

And not only do they help with fuel economy but, your car will also start easily without firing (which reduces emissions).

The Bottom Line

Replacing spark plugs is one of the most affordable car repairs you’ll need to do. Most people will need to change them at some point as long as they keep the same vehicle for several years.

To do the work yourself will cost under $100 and it’s not a difficult job, but you can also just add the service to your next tune-up or oil change. 

It’s important to keep up with regularly scheduled maintenance to ensure your vehicle is performing its best. Easy fixes like changing spark plugs can help to prevent damage and costly repairs later on.