What to do with car that isn t worth fixing?

Asked by: Paula Pfannerstill  |  Last update: July 9, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (75 votes)

Repairing a car might save you money in the long term, but selling might be smart if the car isn't worth the repair bill.

What to do with a car that's not worth repairing?

Comments Section You could try to sell private party with full disclosure on what it needs. Or sell it to a junkyard for scrap price. Another questionably unethical option, try to trade it in /sell it to a dealer who doesn't quite realize the extent of repairs or needs.

At what point is it not worth it to repair a car?

The general rule is to replace your car when the monthly repair cost exceeds the monthly cost of a better quality replacement. This is a bit simplistic because it doesn't consider the hassle and being without while it is fixed, but it's a starting point for your calculations.

What to do if a car is too expensive to repair?

Being faced with unaffordable repairs is a common issue among drivers living paycheck to paycheck, but it's nice to know you have options.
  1. Negotiate the Repairs. ...
  2. Shop Around. ...
  3. Apply for a Personal Loan. ...
  4. Use a Credit Card. ...
  5. Sell Some Personal Items. ...
  6. Barter.

How to get the most money from a broken car?

Pick everything that is easily sold off of it, and sell it for scrap to a junkyard. Often they will tow it from your place and pay you for it. To know what is valuable you might have to know cars quite well, but this is the best way, without resorting to a full-on part-out, which you said already you are not ok with.

The Smartest Way To Handle a Broken Down Car

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Who pays the most for damaged cars?

CarBuyerUSA is your “Damaged Vehicle” headquarters. No other Car Buying Company pays more for damaged cars. CarBuyerUSA will buy anything from a rollover to a Range Rover and has paid up to $35,000 for wrecked or inoperable vehicles – including Jaguars and Maserati's.

How do you get rid of a car you owe more than it's worth?

While large bank lenders may be apprehensive about refinancing, you might have luck with a smaller, community bank or credit union. Sell Your Upside-Down Car: If you're eager to get rid of your car, another option is to sell it privately as opposed to trading it in at a dealership.

How do you get rid of a car that is too expensive?

What to Do if You Can't Afford Your Car Payments
  1. Consider Selling the Car. Getting rid of your mode of transportation isn't ideal, but if you can't stick to your repayment schedule, you may lose the vehicle anyway. ...
  2. Negotiate With Your Lender. ...
  3. Refinance Your Auto Loan. ...
  4. Voluntarily Surrender the Car.

Is it worth repairing a 20 year old car?

For most drivers, the costs tend to mount as cars age past 20 years and investing further becomes difficult to justify. But well-maintained examples with lower miles can warrant repairs to extend their life a bit longer.

What is the most expensive part of a car to repair?

1. The engine. The most expensive part to repair is the car engine. Replacement of a car engine can cost upwards of $10,000 in a small car and even more in a truck or SUV.

What makes a car unfixable?

A car becomes unrepairable when it sustains damage that compromises its structural integrity or when repair costs exceed its value. This includes a severely bent frame, extensive corrosion, the deployment of airbags, severe engine or transmission system damage, and more.

When to get rid of a car?

3 Signs it's Time to Get Rid of an Old Car
  1. #1: Your car needs pricey repairs. As your car ages, it's likely that it will need more and more repairs to remain driveable. ...
  2. #2: Your car has high mileage. ...
  3. #3: You're ready for a change. ...
  4. Is it time to donate your car?

Is it better to have a car totaled or repaired?

Repairing your vehicle is cheaper than taking out a loan or paying monthly payments on a brand-new vehicle. It is often in the best interest of the insurance company to total a car, so you will need to look out for your own best interests.

At what mileage should a car be replaced?

A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.

What is the cheapest thing to fix a car?

10 Car Repairs that are Cheap and Easy to Do Yourself
  • Air Filter. Air filters keep clean air flowing through your car and dust and bugs out.
  • Battery. We should hope you know what a battery does if you're reading this. ...
  • Brake Pads. ...
  • Fuses. ...
  • 5 & 6. ...
  • Oil Change. ...
  • Radiator Flush. ...
  • Spark Plug.

Should I sell my car if it needs repairs?

Fixing your car is usually less expensive than replacing it, but selling your car can be the better option in some cases. Determining whether to repair your car or sell it may come down to comparing the repair costs with your car's value.

At what point is it too expensive to repair a car?

When a repair estimate is provided by a mechanic, it's essential to evaluate whether the cost is reasonable in relation to the car's current market value. If the repair costs are approaching or exceeding the vehicle's worth, it may be a sign that it's too expensive to repair.

At what age do cars lose value?

There's no pre-determined rate at which a vehicle will depreciate. Within the first year, many cars will lose up to 20% of their value. After that, they may lose about 15% more per year until the four-or five-year mark.

Is a 25 year old car too old?

We wouldn't go beyond the early 2000s for any daily driver because parts can be harder to find once a car crests 20 years of age. For higher mileage vehicles with more than 150,000 miles on the odometer, we might recommend trying to find a newer model year than the early 2000s.

How do you get rid of a car you Cannot afford?

Jump to:
  1. Sell the Car.
  2. Renegotiate the Terms of the Loan.
  3. Refinance the Loan.
  4. Pay off the Loan.
  5. Consider a Voluntary Repossession.
  6. Other Options.
  7. Getting Out of a Car Lease.

Is it better to scrap or sell a car?

In most cases, you will get way more by privately selling a car that still runs than by calling a junkyard.

What is the 20 3 8 rule?

The 20/3/8 Rule is a guideline designed to keep your car purchase within your financial boundaries. It consists of three parts: a down payment of at least 20% of the car's price, limiting the loan term to three years, and ensuring that your car payment does not exceed 8% of your monthly income.

Does surrendering a car hurt your credit?

Voluntary surrender counts as a derogatory or negative mark and will stay on your credit reports for up to seven years. This stain on your credit reports might prevent you from being approved for new credit and your terms, like interest rates, will likely be higher.

Can I sell my car back to the dealership if I still owe?

Note: If you're selling a car with an active loan, you're still the one responsible for paying it off, so the remaining balance on the loan will likely be subtracted from the price the dealer offers you. So if you owe more than what the dealer offers, you'll need to pay the difference to the lienholder.

Is leasing a car a good idea?

Leasing helps protect you against unanticipated depreciation. If the market value of your car unexpectedly drops, your decision to lease will prove to be a wise financial move. If the leased car holds its value well, you can typically buy it at a good price at the end of the lease and keep it or decide to resell it.