How Much Does It Cost to Replace Spark Plugs?

Last Updated on December 20, 2023

It typically costs $40 to $400 to replace spark plugs, depending on the complexity of your engine, the cost of labor in your area, and the number of cylinders.

A single spark plug costs $3 to $20. Unless you’re installing the spark plug yourself, however, you’ll need to pay for labor. Generally, the total cost of spark plug replacement is around $250, including parts and labor.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the average cost of replacing spark plugs.

Key Takeaways:

• The average cost of replacing spark plugs is around $250, including parts and labor, but it can vary depending on the type and number of spark plugs, the type of engine, and the local cost of labor.
• Spark plugs are essential for the performance and efficiency of the engine, and they should be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• Signs that indicate the need for spark plug replacement include difficulty starting the vehicle, rough idling, loud noises, sluggish acceleration, engine misfires, and reduced fuel economy.
• Replacing spark plugs can be done by a skilled mechanic or by oneself with basic automotive skills and online tutorials.

It Costs Around $250 to Replace Spark Plugs, Including Parts & Labor

You can expect to spend roughly $250 to replace spark plugs, including parts and labor.

If you live in an area with a lower cost of living, you could pay just $50 to $150 for spark plug replacement. In areas with higher costs of living, meanwhile, you could spend $400 to $500.

A single spark plug costs around $3 to $20. You could install that spark plug yourself to save money. However, if you’re paying a mechanic for spark plug replacement, you can expect to spend around $250 total, including parts and labor.

Labor charges vary based on the complexity of your engine. Four-cylinder engines, for example, tend to have cheaper spark plug replacements than V6 or V8 engines.

Spark Plug Replacement: Parts Costs

When replacing spark plugs, you need to replace the spark plugs themselves.

Most spark plugs cost between $10 and $20. However, you could spend as little as $3 or as much as $100 on a spark plug, depending on the type of plug.

Types of spark plugs include:

• Standard Copper Spark Plugs: $2 to $10 each
• Silver Spark Plugs: $5 each
• Platinum Spark Plugs: $10 each
• Double Platinum Spark Plugs: $20 each
• Iridium Plugs: $20 to $100+ each

Generally, you want to replace all of your spark plugs at once to ensure optimal performance across the engine.

If you have a four-cylinder engine, for example, then your spark plug replacement job could cost $40 in parts for four standard copper spark plugs. Depending on your engine, however, you could require anywhere from four to 16 spark plugs, increasing the cost of parts substantially.

Spark Plug Replacement: Labor Costs

If you have basic automotive skills, it should take you one to two hours to replace spark plugs. A skilled mechanic can complete the job in less time.

Generally, you can expect to spend $100 to $300 on labor for spark plug replacement, depending on the cost of labor in your area and the complexity of your engine. Obviously, it takes longer to replace 16 spark plugs in a V8 engine than it would to replace four spark plugs in a four-cylinder engine.

Factors that Impact the Cost of Spark Plug Replacement

Some of the factors that impact the cost of spark plug replacement include:

Type of Spark Plug: A standard vehicle uses copper spark plugs that cost $3 to $10. However, spark plugs in other vehicles could cost as much as $100 apiece. You could pay anywhere from $12 to $400 for parts when replacing all spark plugs in a four-cylinder engine.

DIY vs. In-Shop: Even if you have limited automotive skills, you could replace spark plugs yourself with the help of online tutorials. Doing the job yourself can save you hundreds of dollars. You’ll only pay for parts – typically around $40 to $100 total to replace all spark plugs in your engine.

Local Cost of Labor: Generally, a mechanic can complete spark plug replacement in one to two hours. Depending on the cost of labor in your area, you could pay anywhere from $35 to $150 per hour of shop labor.

Type of Engine: It costs more to replace the spark plugs in a V6 or V8 engine than in a four-cylinder engine simply because of the number of spark plugs involved. The type of engine you have could cause the cost of spark plug replacement to change considerably.

Number of Spark Plugs Required: You need between four and 16 spark plugs, depending on the type of vehicle.

Complexity of Vehicle: Some vehicles make it harder to replace spark plugs than others. With some vehicles, for example, you need to remove an intake plenum or other parts to access the spark plugs. The more complex your vehicle is, the more labor is involved with the process.

Does Auto Insurance Cover Spark Plug Replacement?

If you need to replace your spark plugs, you may wonder if your auto insurance will cover the cost. The answer depends on the type of coverage you have and the cause of the spark plug damage.

Generally, auto insurance does not cover spark plug replacement, as it is considered a normal maintenance expense that falls under your responsibility. However, there may be some exceptions, such as if your spark plugs are damaged by a collision, vandalism, fire, or theft, and you have the appropriate coverage for these events. In that case, you may be able to file a claim and get reimbursed for the cost of spark plug replacement, minus your deductible.

How Often to Change Spark Plugs

Generally, you should expect to change spark plugs every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on your type of vehicle.

Some manufacturers recommend changing spark plugs every 60,000 miles, for example, while others recommend it every 100,000 miles.

Signs You Need Spark Plug Replacement

Do you need to replace the spark plugs on your vehicle?

Here are some of the signs you may need spark plug replacement:

• Difficulty starting the vehicle. Because your vehicle has to work harder to overcome the weak plugs, it may take more effort to start. The weak plugs aren’t generating enough spark to turn the engine over. Your vehicle may take longer to start or fail to start at all.
• Rough idling, like vibration, rattling, or knocking sounds when your vehicle is idling.
• Loud noises from the engine caused by additional strain on engine cylinders.
• Sluggish or weak acceleration or a difficulty picking up speed.
• Engine misfires, as spark plugs can lead to misfires. You may notice pops from the engine and other sounds, for example, caused by weak spark plugs leading to a misfire.
• Reduced vehicle efficiency and increased fuel consumption. Weak spark plugs create a worse combination of fuel and air, forcing the engine to suck more fuel into the combustion chamber. If you notice your vehicle is burning more fuel than usual, then it’s a sign you may need to replace spark plugs, especially when combined with the symptoms above.

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, then it’s a sign you may need to replace your spark plugs.

Final Word

You can expect to spend around $250 to replace spark plugs at a shop, including parts and labor.

Some mechanics can replace spark plugs for as little as $100. Or, you could pay as much as $500 for spark plug replacement on complicated vehicles or V6 and V8 engines.

Contact trusted mechanics in your area to get a quote on spark plug replacement.