Drivers have different reactions when the check engine light comes on. While some dedicated motorists may immediately make an appointment at the closest auto repair franchise, others keep putting off the repairs - a mistake that could cost them in the long run. However, the price of most check engine-related auto repair differs from state to state, with drivers in New Jersey and the rest of the East Cost suffering from higher average costs, according to a CarMD.com study.
On average, U.S. drivers paid about $367.84 for repairs in 2012 after seeing their check engine light turn on. This is up 10 percent from 2011, but the prices soared even higher in some states. New Jersey, for example, had the highest price tag for repairs at an average of $392.99.
"In 2012, we saw a dramatic shift in the top five most expensive states for average car repairs, as many drivers along the East Coast incurred rising auto repair costs, while they simultaneously contended with Hurricane Sandy's aftermath," said Ieon C. Chen, CEO of CarMD.com.
Hurricane Sandy may have also contributed to N.J. drivers heading to a service station. Cars.com reports that there was a significant uptick in the number of trips to a repair shop in the wake of the storm, and those who procrastinated these necessary visits suffered from more severe and expensive damage later on.