There’s a reason why there are over 700,000 mechanic jobs in the United States. We often take driving for granted. But, the second something goes wrong, we rely on these professionals to get us back on the road.
Nothing is worse than having a mechanic tell you something is wrong with your engine. No one likes pouring money into something that already cost them quite a bit.
So, is a car engine replacement worth it? Or is it time to start shopping for another vehicle? If you want to learn the answer to this question, you’re in the right place.
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Find Out If It Can Be Repaired First
If you’re having engine problems, the first thing you need to do is get it checked out. We recommend going to a mechanic that you trust for this. They can typically diagnose what’s wrong with the engine.
If they’re trustworthy, they’ll also give you some advice on the best course of action. Usually, there are two options: maintenance or replacement.
However, the issue gets more complicated if you have a blown engine. Damage from a blown engine can easily spread to other parts of the car.
So, when this happens, there’s no hope of repairing the engine. A lot of the time, you will need to replace the whole vehicle.
Consider Repairing It Yourself
In some cases, the repairs needed on your vehicle might be minor. If you have experience working with cars, you might want to go with the DIY route. Why?
Because the cost of new engine parts often isn’t that expensive. It’s typically the labor involved that amps up the mechanic bill. So, if you think you can tackle the project yourself, go for it.
Odds are you can save a lot of money this way. Just remember that it will take some time. We also don’t recommend this method if you have no experience working on car engines.
If you aren’t careful, you can end up doing more harm than good.
Assess the Vehicle’s Value
Before you decide if it’s worth it to replace the engine, you need to find out the vehicle’s current value. You need to be as realistic as possible here. It doesn’t matter if you spent a fortune on the car, because vehicles depreciate quickly.
So, you shouldn’t expect to get what you paid for out of it. If there’s engine trouble, odds are your vehicle isn’t worth much. But, if it’s a new car, then it can still hold some value.
How to Tell If a Car Engine Replacement Is Worth It
Odds are you facing a tough decision: should you replace the engine or the vehicle? Let’s go over some scenarios when it’s appropriate to replace instead of getting rid of the car.
First, if you have a new vehicle, you might have a warranty that covers it. In that case, it’s an easy decision to replace.
The same goes for insurance coverage. Some insurance plans will cover the entire cost of a new engine. You should also consider the cost savings.
More often than not, it will be cheaper to replace the engine than to buy a new car. While it might not be the best value, it’s often the only option for people on a limited budget.
Finally, there’s sentimental value for the car. This happens often. Maybe the car was passed down from a family member or friend, or maybe you just love it.
Regardless of the reason, you should keep the car for sentimental reasons if you want to. Just keep in mind that it will likely cost a lot to repair it, especially if it’s an older model.
When Should You Buy a New Vehicle?
If you have a high budget, you might want to consider a vehicle replacement. It often isn’t worth it to replace an engine on a used car. The vehicle will probably quit on you in a year or two.
And when this happens, you’ll end up paying double — once for an engine replacement and again for a new car. You should also buy a new car if multiple parts of the car are failing.
An engine replacement is expensive on its own. When combined with other repairs, it can often cost just as much as a new car.
Sell Your Old Car to Pay for the New One
If your engine replacement is too expensive, or just not possible, it’s time to sell the car. But, what should you do if your vehicle is entirely inoperable? How can you get money out of it? Don’t panic.
There are plenty of buyers who will accept junking a car. You won’t get the max amount of money for selling an old car when you go this route. But, the cash for spare parts can be enough to help contribute towards funds for a new car.
There are even some no title junk car buyers out there. Most of them will even offer to tow junk cars for free. If your car won’t run, this is typically the best course of action.
Learning About Car Engine Replacement or Repair
We hope this article helped you decide whether a car engine replacement is worth the cost. This can be a hard decision. However, at the end of the day, it depends on your budget and the value of your car.
If you don’t have the budget for repairs, or the repairs will be too expensive, it’s time to consider selling the vehicle.
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