Vehicle repair costs up sharply this year as pothole season arrives
Posted April 25, 2023 1:35 pm.
Last Updated April 25, 2023 1:36 pm.
It’s a tale as old as time itself in Quebec: as temperatures rise in spring, drivers are faced with the annual pothole plight.
And while Quebecers may be used to dodging potholes – and the costs associated with hitting one – things could get a little more expensive this year.
CAA-Quebec is estimating repair costs associated with damage caused by potholes are up 20-35 per cent since 2020.
“Labour scarcity, rising inflation and a number of other factors may explain why damaging your vehicle in the province’s all too many potholes will hurt your wallet even more this year,” CAA-Quebec said in a release.
A list of common damage and the costs associated with them for 2023:
- Tire: $150 to $350
- Steel wheel: $100
- Alloy wheel: $600
- Control arm: $200 to $400
- Tie rod end: $100 to $250
- Shock absorber: $200 to $400
- Strut rod: $200 to $400
- Suspension ball joint: $150 to $300
- Parallelism (alignment): $100 to $200
A 2021 study conducted by CAA showed Quebecers already pay more than the average Canadian in annual vehicle repairs.
CAA says the average Canadian driver paid $126 per year in unexpected repairs related to poor roads. In Quebec, that average was $258 per driver – more than double.
