When is it Not Worth Repairing a Car? Deciding Whether to Keep it or Junk it

When your car breaks down, you take it into the shop and get it fixed up so you can get back on the road.

Odds are, you need your car to navigate your day to day life.

But, when is it not worth repairing a car?

Here’s how to decide whether you should fix up your old ride or invest in a new set of wheels.

Old Car vs. New Car

Cars break — that’s just what they do.

As your ride racks up years and miles, some of its parts are going to wear out and need replacing. You can classify these kinds of repairs as the run-of-the-mill maintenance you agree to take on as a car owner.

And, occasionally, some of these run-of-the-mill repairs are going to be very, very expensive. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to throw in the towel and get rid of your car.

Repair costs can hurt, but they’re not as bad, or as consistent as paying off a brand new ride.

Keep that in mind, when deciding whether or not you should junk your car.

You vs. Your Car

Does your car still work for you?

Unless your car is brand new, your life has probably undergone a few significant changes since you bought it.

Maybe your commute got longer, your family grew, or you’ve decided to downsize. Whatever your situation may be, there’s a good chance that the car you’re trying to fix doesn’t suit your life anymore.

If that’s the case, you may want to consider pocketing the money you were going to spend on fixing it and start looking for a car better suited to your new life.

Wasting Time

Are you spending more time in the auto-shop than you are on the road?

If your car woes are starting to eat into your busy schedule to the point where you’re planning around them, it’s probably past time you got a new vehicle.

Your time is valuable. Even if your repair costs don’t seem that high, they can start to add up, and you don’t want to waste too much time fixing a car that’s going to break again.

The Death Sentence

Finally, the most undeniable sign that its time to send your car to the big parking lot in the sky is when the cost of repairs outweigh the price of a new car.

You can shell out the arm and leg it takes to cover the repairs and be ok for a while. But, cars, especially newer cars, aren’t meant to last forever.

It’s only a matter of time before your car breaks again, and the vicious cycle repeats itself. You’re better off getting rid of it and finding a new ride.

Fortunately, even if your car is beyond saving, you don’t have to write it off as a loss.

You may be able to sell your old ride to a cash for junk cars same day pick up company. Some of these companies will even come and tow your vehicle for you if it no longer runs.

So, When Is It Not Worth Repairing a Car?

You may love your car, but after awhile it’s going to stop loving you back and start eating into your savings. When that happens, you may want to consider breaking up with it and finding yourself a nice, new ride.

Now that you’ve asked yourself, “when is it not worth repairing a car?” you have a big decision to make. Good luck!

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