If you drive an older car or are in the market for a used car, you aren't alone.  The average age of a vehicle in the United States has risen by 17% in the past ten years. People are holding on to their cars longer, which means that mechanical breakdowns are more common. 

Owners of older cars are twice as likely to expect maintenance and repair spending that exceeds $1,000 than new car owners. Many people wouldn't easily afford a surprise $1,000 car repair bill.  Mechanical breakdown insurance can help ease the financial burden when your car breaks down. People are holding on to their cars longer, which means that mechanical breakdowns are a more common occurrence. 

While each make and model of vehicle has different statistics about parts that fail and the costs of keeping the car on the road, every car breaks down at some point. In the United States, the average cost to repair a vehicle when it breaks down is $305.56; $202.28 for parts, and $103.27 for labor. Of course, these numbers are averages, so many car repairs are more or less expensive.  

Car manufacturers work hard to design and build vehicles that last a long time, but with that longevity comes more complicated (and expensive) repairs. Here are some of the most common repairs and their average price across all vehicle makes and models in the United States.

• Intake manifold gasket replacement: $326.74
• Ignition coil replacement: $213.16
• Engine coolant temperature sensor replacement: $132.62
• Exhaust gas recirculation valve replacement: $288.19
• Spark plug replacement: $311.40
• Mass airflow sensor replacement: $376.69
• Catalytic converter replacement: $1,001. 74
• Oxygen sensor replacement: $238.71

Here are some other repairs you may face as a used car owner:

Busy auto shops may not be able to accommodate emergency mechanical repairs. You may need to rent a car or try to figure out another way to get to work while your mechanic gets you onto his schedule, performs a diagnosis, and orders parts. Then, it may be a few more days before the shop can carve out time to repair your car. 

To matters even more difficult, shops require payment in full before they'll return your keys and let you drive away. The logistical and financial stress of having your car break down can cause a ripple effect that lasts far into the future if you live paycheck to paycheck and need to get to work every day.

The number of miles your car has affects the type and amount of mechanical breakdown coverage you may be eligible to purchase. Cars over 60k miles are generally eligible for mechanical breakdown insurance, as are cars over 100k miles. For cars over 200k miles, it may be tricky to find coverage for major parts and systems at an affordable price. 

After your car's manufacturer warranty runs out, you can purchase an extended warranty, also called mechanical breakdown insurance, from a third-party provider. All mechanical breakdown plans have a deductible and a defined list of which parts and systems are covered. Not all mechanical breakdown policies offer rental car assistance to keep you on the road while your car is in the shop, however. 

While spending money on parts and systems that don't require repair may seem unnecessary, taking care of your vehicle by keeping up with recommended maintenance can help you prevent several potentially expensive repairs.