How much for a wheel alignment?

How much does a wheel alignment cost in Australia? The cost of a wheel alignment typically starts at $50 for small cars and can go up to $150 or more for larger vehicles.

When it comes to your car, there’s a lot to consider when budgeting for repairs and maintenance. There are so many moving parts that unless you’re a mechanic, you really wouldn’t know where to begin. One of the more critical elements is where your car connects with the road. When a car is new, its wheels are perfectly aligned with each other and the road. However, over time, normal wear and tear on the suspension can cause the wheels to fall out of alignment.

Regular wheel and tyre maintenance is essential for keeping you and your passengers safe. Unaligned wheels are a common issue that can lead to uneven tyre wear, steering problems, and even accidents if left unchecked.

In this guide, we explore:

• What a wheel alignment service involves and why you need it
• Wheel alignment prices
• Factors that influence wheel alignment cost
• How to get quotes from mechanics in your area, and more.

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Firstly, what is a wheel alignment service?

A wheel alignment refers to an adjustment of your vehicle’s suspension. The suspension is essentially the system that connects the wheels to the car. Many people mistakenly think it’s simply about adjusting the tyres, but that’s not the case.

When your wheels are out of alignment, it can lead to premature tyre wear, cause the car to pull to one side, and increase the risk of driving hazards.

Why do you need a wheel alignment service?

As an owner of a motor vehicle, the safety of you, your passengers and other road users is paramount. This is why having your wheel alignment checked is so important. Most mechanics will either undertake the inspection themselves or be able to point you in the direction of a preferred wheel alignment service centre.

Manufacturers generally recommend having your car’s wheel alignment checked every 10,000 km or every six months. This can be performed during your regular service visits, for an additional fee.

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How to know when you need a wheel alignment

If your car isn’t handling as well as usual and seems to pull toward one direction more than the other, this is a good indication a wheel balancing or alignment is in order. Other signs to look for include:

• Uneven or rapid tyre wear
• Noisy steering wheel
• Squealing tyres
• A crooked steering wheel when driving straight.

If you notice any of these symptoms, take your car to a local mechanic for an inspection. Be sure to mention when you first noticed the issue and how frequently it occurs. It’s also helpful to provide information about the last time your tyres were rotated, air was added, or if any parts of the steering or suspension have been replaced.

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How much does a wheel alignment cost?

How much does a wheel alignment or wheel balancing cost? Let’s take a closer look at the typical prices you can expect for each service:

Wheel alignment cost

Wheel alignment prices typically start at around $50 and can go up to $150 for standard vehicles. For larger or more specialised vehicles such as four-wheel drives, SUVs, or high-performance cars, costs are generally higher, ranging from $150 to $250, depending on the make and model of the vehicle.

Investing in a wheel alignment is a small price to pay for ensuring optimal safety on the road and avoiding costly replacements for tyres that wear out prematurely. Regularly checking and aligning your tyres is one of the most crucial aspects of vehicle maintenance and helps prolong the life of your tyres while improving driving performance.

Wheel balancing cost

Wheel balancing typically costs about the same as a wheel alignment, starting at approximately $50. Most mechanics charge a fixed price for this service, as it involves using a specialised computer balancing machine. This machine measures the weight distribution of the wheel and tyre, then applies counterweights to ensure proper balance.

Opting to get a wheel balance and alignment done together can sometimes save you money. Many service providers offer package deals, where you may get both services for the price of one or at a discounted rate.

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What affects wheel alignment prices?

Several factors affect the cost of a wheel alignment, including:

• Type of alignment: A front-end alignment is generally cheaper than a four-wheel alignment.
• Vehicle type: Larger vehicles like SUVs or trucks may cost more due to additional labour and equipment requirements.
• Service provider location: Urban centers like Sydney or Melbourne often have higher rates compared to regional areas.
• Additional repairs: Issues like worn suspension parts or uneven tyre wear may require extra services, increasing the total cost.

Regular driving naturally causes your vehicle’s wheel alignment to shift over time. Factors that influence how often you’ll need an alignment include the quality of the roads you drive on and the condition of your vehicle’s suspension and steering components. Even minor incidents, such as hitting a pothole or a curb, can be enough to disrupt the alignment and require adjustment.

Why is getting a wheel alignment so important?

Proper wheel alignment is essential for maintaining your car’s safety, performance, and cost-efficiency. Misaligned wheels cause uneven and accelerated tyre wear, reducing the lifespan of your tyres and leading to unnecessary replacement costs.

Beyond financial implications, poor alignment compromises your vehicle’s handling and stability. On wet or uneven roads, misaligned wheels can significantly increase stopping distances, reduce traction, and make your car harder to control. This raises the risk of accidents, especially in adverse weather or emergency situations.

Additionally, misalignment puts extra strain on suspension components and reduces fuel efficiency, as the tyres may drag instead of rolling smoothly. Regular wheel alignments ensure your car operates safely, efficiently, and smoothly on all road conditions.

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What’s included in wheel alignment prices?

In a wheel alignment service, the technician normally checks your tyre wear, the front and rear suspension and ensures that your vehicle is tracking straight. Whether you drive an all-wheel-drive, or a front or rear-wheel drive, the need for getting regular wheel alignment checks is the same.

With any issues found, the technician will adjust the suspension components, ensuring that your car is not pulling, and they will rotate any tyres experiencing premature wear. Your mechanic may also decide to replace your front and rear tyres if there is excessive wear and exposure to any miscalibration or wheel alignment issues that can’t be fixed otherwise.

With state-of-the-art technology, computer-generated alignment and testing systems, your car should be able to drive safely and track straight after a trip to the service centre.

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Getting wheel alignment quotes from a local mechanic

Still wondering how much does a wheel alignment cost? You can easily find “wheel alignment prices near me”, using our Yellow Pages online directory. Request and compare multiple free quotes from local car service centres or mechanics in your area.

When enquiring about the cost of a wheel alignment, be sure to provide the mechanic with your car’s make and model, along with details of any recent issues you’ve noticed. It’s also a good idea to choose a trusted local mechanic with a strong reputation for quality service.

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*All prices quoted were sourced at the time this wheel alignment cost guide was written and should only be used as an estimate.