What happens if my engine blows on a financed car?

Asked by: Diana Schaefer I  |  Last update: July 18, 2023
Score: 4.9/5 (57 votes)

“If your engine blows up on a financed car, you're still on the hook for the payment. Unfortunately, your car insurance won't pay for the damages either, as even full-coverage policies won't cover this.

Can I trade in a financed car with a blown engine?

Can I Trade In A Car With A Blown Engine? If you have a non-running car, you are probably wondering, “Can you trade in a car with a bad engine?” The simple answer is yes, you can. While a used car dealership will allow you to trade in your broken vehicle, you won't be taking home a large check at all.

What to do if your engine fails and you still owe money on?

Here are four possible options.
  1. Pay Off the Debt.
  2. Roll It Into a New Loan.
  3. Park & Pay.
  4. Call a Bankruptcy Attorney.

Does insurance cover if your engine blows?

Yes, car insurance covers engine blowing up, but only if it was caused by a covered scenario like an accident or vandalism. For instance, if a crash leads to engine blowing up, the policyholder's collision insurance will cover repairs, but not if the damage was caused by poor maintenance, negligence or wear and tear.

Can you make payments on an engine replacement?

Affirm is an easy, buy-now-pay-later service that allows you to finance up to 36 months on our American-made powertrain products such as engines and transmissions. Affirm is a safe and easy way to start building a good credit history with no hidden fees or additional charges.

What are your options if you blow your engine?

25 related questions found

Is it better to replace an engine or buy a new car?

Needed Upgrades: If you are seeking an upgraded space or new features, a vehicle replacement might be the right option for you. Higher budget: While engine replacement is costly, it is often much cheaper than a new vehicle. If you have a larger budget to spend on your vehicle, you might consider opting for a new car.

How much does it cost to put a new engine in a car?

New engines start at around $4,000 for a 4-cylinder, around $5,500 for a V6 and $7,000 for a V8. Prices increase from these figures based on complexity of the engine and the brand of car.

Is car engine covered under insurance?

Hence, you can claim for engine repair on insurance if the damage is caused by an accident or comprehensive loss covered by the insurance. However, any engine damage caused by wear and tear or mechanical failure will not be covered as part of an insurance claim.

Is engine covered under warranty?

A powertrain warranty usually covers everything that is involved in the process of providing power to the wheels of your vehicle. This includes the most important and expensive parts of the vehicle: engine, driveshaft, and transmission.

Does full coverage car insurance cover a blown head gasket?

Yes, insurance will cover a blown head gasket if the mechanical failure was caused by vandalism, flooding or other outside forces. However, insurance will not cover a blown head gasket if the mechanical failure was caused by simple wear and tear, or due to lack of maintenance.

How much is my car worth with a blown engine?

How Much Is My Car Worth With A Blown Engine? Without a functioning engine, you can expect to get at least $3,000 less for your car as a sales price than you would get for a functioning vehicle. So if your vehicle is worth $10,000 in good condition, you should expect to get something closer to $4,000 to $7,000 for it.

How do I get rid of a financed car that doesn't run?

If You Find Yourself Upside Down On A Non Working Vehicle You Can:
  1. Pay off the loan.
  2. Roll over the debt into a new loan.
  3. Leave the car sitting while you pay off the loan.
  4. File for bankruptcy.

Will CarMax buy a car with a blown engine?

The short answer to this question is yes, they do. CarMax buys cars in all types of shape. They buy cars with transmission trouble, engine trouble, blown head gaskets, bad clutches and more. CarMax will buy almost any vehicle.

Is it cheaper to rebuild or buy a new engine?

Rebuilding to repair is usually cheaper than buying a new engine, too. You may save up to half of the cost of a new engine by rebuilding. However, sometimes rebuilding is not a good option. In cases where rebuilding will cost as much as a new engine, your mechanic should be upfront about those costs.

Can you return a financed car back to the dealer after a year?

No, you usually cannot do this. However, if you made your purchase from a dealership and want to refinance something else, they may accommodate you in the name of good business. Dealers generally aim to have you return one day when you're ready to make your next purchase, after all.

Will a warranty replace an engine?

Coverage For Your Engine Is Standard With Almost All Warranty Plans. The backbone for nearly all non-specialized extended warranty plans is your car's powertrain which comprises the engine, the transmission, and the drivetrain itself.

What is not covered under warranty?

Defects and damages due to loss, theft, fire, water, or a natural disaster. Failure or damage caused by improper use, carelessness (knocks, dents, crushing, broken crystal/glass, etc.), or accidents. Failure or damage caused by unjustifiable repair or modification.

Does powertrain warranty cover engine replacement?

A manufacturer warranty often includes separate powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage. The powertrain warranty covers the engine, transmission, and drivetrain, while bumper-to-bumper coverage – a more comprehensive warranty – covers all other major systems between your car's bumpers.

What is covered in engine cover policy?

Engine protect cover is an add-on cover that gives you coverage for damages incurred by the engine of your car due to due to water ingression, leakage of lubricating oils, differential parts or gearbox or engine failure due to an attempt to start a wet engine.

Is engine cover in extended warranty?

This depends on the manufacturer and also the model in question. Manufacturers usually offer plans that cover engine and electrical damage but not the usual wear and tear parts. Also, the labour costs are covered, so if it's a complicated replacement or repair, it will be free.

What is engine aggravation cover?

Aggravation (Damage) Cover Clause

With this cover, the insurer will compensate for the cost of repair or replacement of engine parts, gearbox parts, differential or transmission parts, and the parts of power steering pump caused due to leakage of lubricating oil or coolant or water ingression.

Does replacing engine reset mileage?

Answer provided by

An engine swap or engine replacement will not reset the odometer as the odometer doesn't just measure the engine but all of the components of the car. In fact, it's illegal to reset the odometer as it would not accurately reflect the age of other parts of the vehicle.

Does putting a new engine in a car increase the value?

Replacing the engine usually increases the car's overall value.

What are the causes of engine failure?

8 Common Causes of Car Engine Failure
  • Overheating. ...
  • Inappropriate Lubrication. ...
  • Detonation. ...
  • Sinking the Car. ...
  • Oil Leaks. ...
  • Ignoring the Engine Oil Light. ...
  • Paying No Attention to Cooling System. ...
  • Wrong Fuelling.

At what point is it not worth repairing a car?

When repair costs start to exceed the vehicle's value or one year's worth of monthly payments on a replacement, it's time to break up with your car, according to automotive site Edmunds and Consumer Reports, the product review site.