At what point is a vehicle not worth repairing?

If the cost of repairs exceeds the car's value, it's probably best to get a new car instead. Sometimes, when a car with high mileage needs a significant repair or if your car is totaled, you might consider replacing it with a new or used vehicle.
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Is it worth repairing a 10 year old car?

People are often surprised by how much it costs to keep an older vehicle running, but it is almost always cheaper to repair your car than buy a new one. New cars benefit from modern safety technology like back-up cameras. This might be reason enough for someone to favor buying a new car.
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How do I know if my car is beyond repair?

As a general rule, a damaged auto is considered “totaled” when the cost of repair is higher than the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of the auto.
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What is the most expensive part of car to fix?

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.
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What to do with a car that needs more repairs than it's worth?

If there is no value in repairing the car, consider scrapping it for parts to make some money off the vehicle. You may have to pay to have a shop impound your car if it's no longer usable. Do your research when replacing or repairing your car to ensure that you get the best value.
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Is My Car or Truck Worth Repairing?



At what age should a car be replaced?

When you own a vehicle, it's often difficult to know when it's time to replace it. Many car owners make the mistake of assuming that they need to replace their vehicles every few years. The average age of a vehicle on the road is about 11 years, but most drivers keep a car for about six years.
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What is the longest thing to fix on a car?

Top 3 Longest Car Repairs to Complete
  • Engine Replacement.
  • Major Engine Repair.
  • Transmission Replacement or Rebuild.
  • Multiple Repairs Done at Once.
  • Unique Repairs.
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Is it worth fixing a car with 200k miles?

Although it may have been well maintained, the purchase of a vehicle with over 200,000 miles on the odometer might lead to significant maintenance costs. At this point, the car is likely nearing the end of its useful life, and you may soon need to either invest a significant sum in repairs or replace it entirely.
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How many miles is too many for used car?

What is considered high mileage on a car? Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.
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What is the average life of a car?

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.
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Is mileage or year more important?

While it's a good idea to consider the age of a vehicle and the number on its odometer, it's more important to look at how well the owner maintained the car. A 10-year-old car with 100,000 miles may have received more TLC than a five-year-old model with 50,000 miles.
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How long is too long for a car to be in the shop?

Most vehicles have a turnaround repair time of only 12 days before you can pick them up, so anything longer may be a cause for questioning regarding a motor vehicle repair.
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What is the most expensive engine part?

But as with anything, different parts cost more than others. For example, the average price of a car engine is $3,500. However, the most expensive part of the engine, solely the crankshaft, in an exotic car can cost upwards of $5,000.
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What to replace on high mileage car?

High mileage cars require more maintenance to keep them on the road.
...
Here's what you need to do.
  • Oil Change. ...
  • Check and Top Off or Replace Fluids. ...
  • Check and Replace Filters and Belts. ...
  • Tires. ...
  • Wax and Wash. ...
  • Battery Care. ...
  • Engine Treatment. ...
  • Clean Fuel System.
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Is a 10 Year car Too old?

When buying a used car that's 10-years-old or older, your primary concerns are purchase price and reliability. Don't pay more than that 10-year-old car is worth. And, pick a car with a solid reputation for dependability. No car is really too old if you follow those rules.
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How old do most cars last?

What's the Average Life of a Car? In the past, the average lifespan of a car was significantly lower than it is today. Now, you can expect a standard car to last around 12 years or about 200,000 miles. More advanced vehicles like electric cars can go even longer, up to 300,000 miles.
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What is the hardest thing to repair in a car?

The four most difficult auto repairs (arguably)
  • #1: Spark plugs. When you think of spark plugs, you probably don't think of a tough repair. ...
  • #2: Clutch. ...
  • #3: Transmission. ...
  • #4: Engine swap.
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What parts on a car are worth money?

Blog
  • GPS System. Electronics and computer-based devices in cars are among many of the most valuable items merely because they are electronic. ...
  • Fenders. Some of the sturdiest metal on your vehicle is in the fenders. ...
  • Doors. ...
  • Catalytic Converters. ...
  • Bumpers. ...
  • Air Bags. ...
  • Wheels, Tires, & Rims.
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What car brands are most expensive to repair?

The Most Expensive Car Brands to Maintain
  • BMW is the most expensive car brand to maintain, followed by Mercedes-Benz.
  • Besides loan repayments, rego & insurance, fuel, servicing, and tyres are biggest costs.
  • Hybrids are more expensive to buy – but one can save on fuel and servicing long-term.
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What do I do if my garage is taking too long to fix my car?

If the repair is taking too long

You can ask the garage for a courtesy car (this is a car that the garage will give you to use - not all garages will offer this). Keep a record of everything extra you spend on travel - you might need to prove this later on.
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Can a car dealer refuse to repair?

Regardless of how aggrieved you feel about your problem, there is always a strong chance that you won't get your problem resolved the way you want it. You need to be prepared to accept that the dealer may have no obligation to fix your problem, even if leaves you with a broken car or a large bill.
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What happens if a mechanic makes your car worse?

If the mechanic was contracted to perform the work in a skillful manner and he did not, you may be able to sue on these grounds. If the service was provided as part of a warranty on the vehicle, you may have a breach of warranty case.
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What's worse for a car age or mileage?

Even when mileage is low, the older a car gets, the less reliable it becomes. Modern cars are much more reliable, even as they age. Five-year-old cars record what is considered a major problem every three years, while 10-year-old cars are more likely to face a problem every 18 to 20 months.
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What is the best age of a used car to buy?

What's the “Sweet Spot” for Used Car Age? In retaining “like new” quality and inheriting a slower depreciation rate, the best used car age for buying is 2-3 years. In fact, Americans are saving up to $14,000 on a 3-year-old vehicle.
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Which is better older car with low miles or newer car with high miles?

In general, buying a higher mileage newer is better than buying an older car with less miles. The reason for this is simple: parts in a car, especially the rubber components deteriorate over time, regardless of mileage.
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