Are Toyota Parts Expensive? (Pricing)

Toyota parts wear out just like Ford Focus or Nissan Sentra parts. So eventually, something will need to be replaced. Are Toyota parts more expensive than aftermarket parts? Keep reading further to determine if Toyota parts are expensive.

Are Toyota Parts Expensive?

Essentially, Toyota parts, or OEM parts, are more expensive when compared to aftermarket varieties. For instance, most Toyota brake pads would be $75; a Carquest brake pad made of ceramic would be $64. So, in general, dealership parts will be more expensive.

Also read: 3 Best Toyotas for the Money (with Exact Costs)

Who Supplies Parts to Toyota?

Toyota relies on an extensive supply chain of manufacturers to provide “original equipment manufacturer” parts. Instead of naming all 200 suppliers that Toyota uses, I will name a few notable ones.

Denso

Cypress Semiconductor

Aisin Seiki Co

I will touch on several parts that need to be maintained. Please note:

While aftermarket parts could be cheaper and better, they may not be warrantied if they fail prematurely. Aftermarkets are also “reverse-engineered and approximately 85% similar to originals.

It’s estimated that parts purchased at junkyards are between 50%-80% cheaper.

Brake Pads

The brake pads stop the vehicle’s motion by using hydraulic pressure to clamp the pads on the rotors. This action creates heat and friction, which slows the car.

Brake pads are made of organic material (inexpensive and practical), semi-metallic compounds (heavy-duty/high performance), or ceramic (quiet, long-lasting, expensive). Due to this repeated friction, you should expect to replace your brake pads every 30,000-70,000 miles.

The table below describes how much brake pads should cost.

	OEM	Bosch Quietcast	Carquest Premium
(NEW)	$104	$33.23	$64.99
(USED)	$52	$17	$33

I choose OEM brake pads since they take the car’s specifications in mind. Mechanics will typically charge $79-$200 to replace the brakes for you; however, I recommend changing the brakes on your own as it isn’t complicated or time-consuming.

Filters

Engines use a method of combustion to power your Toyota, and the vehicle needs a clean mixture of fuel and air. That is where the various filters in an engine come into play.

Air Filters – These filters can come in various shapes and sizes of cotton, foam, or synthetic paper. The pleated material in the filters keeps dust, insects, or other debris from entering the engine. They should be replaced every 45,000 miles.

Oil Filters – These filters keep a continuous flow of oil throughout the engine and filter out the dust, metallic particles, and oxidized oil. These should be replaced every 7,000 miles.

Fuel Filters – These filters remove harmful impurities like dust, grit, and rust from the fuel you add to your vehicle. Fuel filters are meant to last for the vehicle’s life; however, it’s a good idea to change them every 50,000 miles in older models.

The table below describes how much you should expect to pay for each of these filters. I don’t recommend buying used parts because of their diminished quality.

	OEM	Carquest Premium	Purolator	Beck-Arnley
Air Filters	$34	$32.49	$19.49	N/A
Oil Filters	$5.41	$10.99	$7.49	N/A
Fuel Filters	$76.00	$18.59	N/A	$33

Again, I would purchase aftermarket parts for the filters and stay away from used parts.

Mechanics will charge you between $54-$68 to change your air filter, approximately $104 for oil changes, and $53-$165 to replace your fuel filter. I recommend performing these tasks on your own as well.

Also read: Are Hyundai Parts Expensive? (with Exact Costs)

Battery

The car battery starts the engine and provides power to various electronics such as lights and radio. It uses a lead-acid combination to generate a current in the battery. There are two types of batteries, and your car will use one or the other, not both:

Standard wet-cell – these batteries are known as conventional batteries. They can vent gas and leak acid. These batteries usually have caps to add fluid.

Absorbed Glass Mat – these batteries are best known for short recharge periods and handling harsher climates. They can go for longer periods of disuse as well.

I’ve included a table below that describes the pricing for batteries. Again, I suggest lots of research before buying a used battery. Plenty of companies offer used batteries with warranties.

w/Core charges	OEM	Diehard Gold	Duralast Gold
(NEW)	$202.79	$211.99	$211.99
(USED)	$102	$106	$106

Car batteries usually only last about three to five years. A mechanic will charge $15-$100 to replace your battery; I would advise doing this yourself and saving a lot of money.

Starter and Alternator

Your Starter is an electrical motor that requires a fully charged battery to start your car. The Alternator regulates the electrical energy flowing through the engine and charges the battery.

These parts work in sync and don’t always have any apparent issues. I’ve included a table below describing the costs.

	OEM	Bosch	Duralast
(NEW) Starter	$221.67	N/A	$304
(USED) Starter	$111	N/A	$152
(NEW) Alternator	$349.83	$450	N/A
(USED) Alternator	$175	$363	N/A

Alternators and Starters can last well over 100,000 miles on your Toyota. A mechanic will typically charge $100 to replace your starter and alternator separately. I wouldn’t recommend performing these repairs on your own unless you have completed this type of work on your car before.

Also read: Mazda vs Toyota: Which Brand is More Reliable?

Spark Plugs

Essentially, spark plugs supply a spark of electricity that causes the air/fuel mixture to ignite. These miniature explosions happen repeatedly, and your spark plugs must be up to the specifications of your vehicle. Spark plugs also have a specific “gap” that should be checked regularly.

I have included a table below describing the cost of spark plugs. I would not buy used spark plugs as the condition would vary, plus the risk of having the wrong spark plugs is too significant.

Per plug	OEM (Denso)	Champion Iridium
(NEW)	$17.33	$8.79

I recommend changing your spark plugs every 60,000-90,000 miles, especially if you notice rough idling or engine misfires. Bad spark plugs can drain your battery as well. A mechanic will charge you $100 to change your spark plugs, but you can easily do it yourself.

Engine Oil

The motor oil in your Toyota lubricates many of your engine’s moving parts. This reduces friction and wear on your engine components. In addition, modern engine oil is primarily synthetic and offers many advantages.

Many newer Toyota models use 0w-20 motor oil because it has a low viscosity and operates well when it’s cold. This oil cleans engine parts, reduces acid build-up, and keeps the engine cool.

Below is a table that describes oil pricing. I suggest choosing aftermarket synthetic varieties because they are readily available and meet manufacturer specifications. In addition, motor oil is recycled, and used oil is not recommended for your Toyota because of the contaminants likely contained within it.

5QT	OEM	Mobil1 Advanced	Fram Full Synthetic	Castrol Edge	Pennzoil
Cost	$40	$35.99	$7.99	$34.99	$34.99

I would purchase the Mobil1 Advanced because it’s the closest to OEM specifications. In addition, ExxonMobil manufactures Toyota’s blend of synthetic motor oil, and I’ve had no issues with Mobil1 products. Save yourself $70 and change your oil at home.

Also read: Are Subaru Parts Expensive? (with 8 Examples)

Tires

Car tires are a cushion of rubber constructed to fit over the metal wheel of Toyota vehicles. They create traction and allow the car to drive safely on the road. Car tires require quite a bit of maintenance to keep in order, but it is well worth the cost. The table below describes the brands available for Toyotas.

Per Tire	OEM Firestone	Firestone All-Season	Dunlop Enasave 01	Goodyear Assurance All-Season	Hankook Ventus V2	Uniroyal Tiger Paw AS
(NEW)	$135.99	$102.99	$188	$118	$89	$104.39
(USED)	$68	$51	$94	$60	$45	$52.19

Many tire options are available for Toyotas, especially in the aftermarket sector. Generally, I choose tires based on quality-tested reliability. Of course, prices vary, but I select Tiger Uniroyal Paws or Goodyear All-Season tires.

I suggest replacing your tires every 40,000-60,000 miles depending on the driving conditions and maintenance habits. Regular rotations will prolong the life of your tires. When buying used tires, thoroughly inspect them for dry rot, nails, or holes before purchasing them.

Wipers

Wiper blades are imperative to keeping the windshield on your Toyota clean and clear of obstructions. In other words, they are essential for safe driving.

Wipers blades are usually made of metal and rubber and come in different styles. Temperature fluctuations such as winter and summer can affect the lifespan of your wiper blades.

Below I’ve included a table for various pricing on wiper blades. It doesn’t matter what type of wiper blades you use; they still should be changed every year.

(R + L)	OEM	Trico Maxx	Trico Onyx	Rain-X Silicone	Bosch ICON Clearmax	Trico Flex
Cost	$59.98	$63.98	$55.98	$73.98	$57.98	$41.98

Used wiper blades aren’t worth the risk of quality and safety. I suggest saving the $25-$75 and changing your wiper blades at home. It requires little to no experience. I recommend choosing Trico Onyx or Flex wiper blades because they will last all year.

Conclusion

Dealerships upcharge their parts and services, making Toyota parts more expensive than aftermarket parts. Often, aftermarket parts are made by Toyota OEM manufacturers and are 85% similar to factory specifications. Therefore, aftermarkets work best for batteries, filters, or spark plugs.

While Toyotas aren’t as expensive to maintain as your average car, choosing aftermarket parts to save money won’t hurt. However, when selecting replacement parts for your Toyota, it pays to do plenty of research and only uses brands that are trusted and reliable.

References:

Which Car Brands Have The Cheapest Replacement Parts?

Honda Battery Replacement Prices & Cost Estimates

US Suppliers Get a Toyota Lecture

Denso: OEM, aftermarket parts from same manufacturer not necessarily identical

Bad Brakes: The Danger of Using Cheap Aftermarket Parts

How Much Do Toyota Brake Pads Cost? | Toyota Parts Center

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