The decision can be a lot more difficult for some more than others: when should you just get rid of your current car, rather than pay to have it fixed?
The answer is complicated, but you should know your options before you make a decision. In the meantime, we’ll help break down a few of the more common situations.
The cost to repair is greater than the value of the vehicle
Whether or not it was in an accident, some repairs (especially on older vehicles) vastly outweigh the value of the vehicle. Having your transmission rebuilt can cost thousands of dollars, but if your car is only worth a couple grand, is it really worth it?
Obviously every situation is different, because while this seems like a clear-cut answer, (outside of sentimental reasons) if you feel confident you’ll be able to put another 100-thousand miles on the car after getting the necessary service done, that is surely far cheaper than going out and buying a new car to replace it.
Rust is destroying your car
Truth be told, there is next to nothing you can do once your car is totally rusted out. Not only is it structurally unsafe if your car has holes rotting through it, it reduces the value of your vehicle to next to nothing as the scrap metal is virtually worthless.
Fortunately, living in the Phoenix-area means that rust is highly uncommon in vehicles that have spent their life in an area with such little moisture.
Your car has been in a major accident
Obviously, it’s not ideal to own a vehicle with a salvage title, as you won’t be able to resell it for nearly what it used to be worth when the time comes, but even being without your car while it’s in a body shop can be costly in and of itself. In these situations it can be better to take the insurance payout, walk away, and start fresh with a new car.
At The Auto Shop, we help our customers keep their personal, business, and fleet vehicles on the road long into their lives and mileage. Call us today for a quote or second opinion and you’ll quickly learn why we’re the go-to for vehicle repair and maintenance in Phoenix and the surrounding area.