“Took me EIGHT MINUTES.”
There are few worse experiences as a car owner than that sinking feeling when you realize you’ve been scammed by a mechanic, perhaps particularly when you were sitting in your car eating lunch, perfectly content and trusting, the whole time it was happening.
In a video, @bigcashmoneyash expressed frustration after discovering she had overpaid for a spark plug replacement.
“I just found out that I paid 72% more than what I should have,” she says in a TikTok. “I overspent. I spent an obscene amount. Let’s just say that I was scammed.”
She was sitting in her car while the mechanic worked on her vehicle, completely unaware of what she’d just agreed to pay. It wasn’t until later that she realized how badly she’d been overcharged.
“I was sitting in my car eating my food so happily while they were getting the job done, and I realized that I overspent,” she explains. She decided this would never happen to her again, so she’s buying the tools to do it herself next time.
“I’m buying the tools today. That’s an investment in my future. I am never overpaying that much again for spark plugs,” she says. “Do your research. Do your research,” she warns. “I never do my research when it comes to my car. I’m like, ‘Look, can you do it? Great, I’ll pay you.’ Bad mindset. Bad mindset.”
In her caption, she wrote the following: “Moral of the story. Just do research and don’t go to the first mechanic shop you see that ‘looks trustworthy.'”
Let’s break down the typical cost of a spark plug replacement.
According to AAA, the total cost of a spark plug replacement typically ranges from $100 to $250 for most vehicles, though it can exceed $500 for larger engines. The breakdown:
CarParts.com estimates the nationwide average for a professional replacement is $260–$390, with parts typically $80–$120 and labor covering the rest.
Here’s the thing about spark plug costs: They vary wildly based on material. Copper plugs cost $2–$5 each but last only 20,000–30,000 miles. Iridium plugs run $8–$30 each but can last up to 100,000 miles. So, if a shop charges you for premium iridium plugs when your car only needs basic copper ones, you’re already overpaying before labor even enters the equation.
Labor is where costs can really balloon. On many modern engines, mechanics have to remove the intake plenum or upper cowl just to access the spark plugs. What should be a simple job becomes a multi-hour undertaking. But if you’re driving a basic four-cylinder sedan with easy access, you shouldn’t be paying V-8 SUV prices.
“Some cars, absolutely do it yourself like if you own an inline 4cyl or inline 6. Other cars… might not be worth it. Car repair bills was the only reason I became a career mechanic haha,” a top comment read.
“Youtube is free. Took me EIGHT MINUTES to do spark plugs on a Santa Fe. Easy $120 cash. Now go try and do plugs on Prius 1.8 models from the early 2010’s and let us know how that job works out,” a person said.
“It’s easy until u mess something up then you’re gonna wish u never touched it,” a commenter added.
Motor1 reached out to @bigcashmoneyash for comment via TikTok direct message and comment. We will update this story if she responds.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motor1.com?
– The Motor1.com Team