CarMD.com recently unveiled its first annual Vehicle Health Index report, which highlights the best places to receive automotive repairs, and the results paint a nice picture for Missouri drivers. The study found that the Show-Me State had one of the lowest average "check engine" repair costs, being beat only by Washington, D.C.

The report revealed that Missouri mechanics charged an average of $297.27 for parts and labor, which is significantly less than the national average of roughly $356, and an impressive 29 percent lower than Arizona, which was the most expensive state on the list at more than $421. Ohio, Wisconsin and Nebraska rounded out the top five most affordable.

"We are releasing this data to empower consumers and technicians with a better understanding of common repairs and costs, and to call attention to the fact that, regardless of region, drivers who follow a regularly scheduled maintenance program and address small problems early tend to have reduced fuel bills and repair costs," said Art Jacobsen, vice president of CarMD.com

In 2010, the most frequently reported issue was replacing the oxygen sensor, making up about 9.3 percent of all repairs.