Vehicle health index might be better than a crystal ball

Posted Jan 19, 2012 By Brian Turner

EMC Lifestyle - CarMD®, from Fountain Valley California has been successfully marketing a do-it-yourself vehicle computer scanner system in the U.S. since 2006 and just recently introduced it into Canada at the end of 2011. A big part of this system has been (and continues to be) a subscription to their web-based support which allows car owners to upload their vehicle trouble codes from the CarMD® scanner to learn what the fault is, in easy to understand terms, and more importantly what the most common repair is for a particular trouble code and what the average costs are. This data is based on 15 years, of research into the causes of "check engine" light problems and repairs. The source of the database is a nationwide network of certified technicians who have input and validated failures and fixes.

On a regular basis CarMD® has compiled and released their Vehicle Health Index™ report and the most recent one from 2011 provides some great insight into which 'check engine' failures are the most common, what the average repair costs are, and which vehicles have the best record for trouble-free motoring.

The top five most common 'check engine' light causes in 2010 were:

1) Replace oxygen sensor (used to adjust fuel/air mixture)

2) Inspect for loose fuel cap

3) Replace catalytic convertor

4) Replace mass air flow sensor (located in the air intake duct work)

5) Replace spark plug wires

The average cost (in U.S. dollars) for these repairs was just over $315 (parts and labour). This was down 16% from the high in 2006. Gasoline/electric hybrids hold the record for two of the ten-most expensive 'check engine' light repairs at just over $7,000 to replace the hybrid inverter assembly (it was number 2) and just over $2700 to replace the hybrid battery (number 6). In terms of frequency, the number one 'check engine' light repair (the replacement of an oxygen sensor) carried an average cost of just over $200. The CarMD® correctly notes that a defective oxygen sensor can be responsible for an increase in fuel consumption of up to 40%. From 1996 to 2009 the most common 'check engine' light failure was a loose gas cap. Its replacement by the oxygen sensor replacement is most likely attributed to an aging vehicle fleet and drivers getting better at checking the cap after refuelling.

When it came to deciding which vehicles at the head of the class in terms of reliability and operation costs, CarMD®'s team assigned each manufacturer an index based on the frequency of 'check engine' lights and the average cost of repair. The top five, representing lowest frequency and cost, were:

1) Toyota

2) Hyundai

3) Honda

4) Ford

5) General Motors

The top five models were:

1) 2009 Toyota Corolla

2) 2008 Honda CRV

3) 2007 Honda CRV

4) 2009 Honda Accord

5) 2009 Toyota Rav4

To find out where your vehicle ranked log onto www.corpcarmd.com. As most vehicle models sold in Canada have had identical emission and computer controls as their U.S. cousins since the early 1990's, this American report can be very useful when shopping for a new or used vehicle to determine what type of repair future they offer.

If you have any questions, opinions, or stories on anything automotive please drop me a line, (By email to emc@perfprint.ca or directly to bjoeturner@hotmail.com listing 'Question for the Car Counselor' on the subject line or by post to Record News Communications, 5 Lorne St., P.O. Box 158, Smiths Falls, Ont. K7A 4T1).

Yours in service,

Brian Turner