AutoDecider

Car ownership decision tool

Repair vs Replace Car Calculator

Compare repair costs against replacement costs so you can decide whether fixing your car still makes financial sense.

Compare the next few years

Estimate whether paying for the repair is cheaper than replacing the car.

Current car

The quoted cost to fix your current car.$
What your current car would likely sell for today.$
Additional repairs you reasonably expect during the comparison period.$
Estimated monthly cost for insurance, fuel, maintenance, registration, and similar ownership expenses.$
How many months you want to compare repair and replacement costs.mo

Replacement car

The purchase price of the replacement vehicle before taxes and fees.$
Cash you plan to pay upfront to reduce the amount financed.$
Estimated credit you would receive for trading in your current vehicle.$
The annual percentage rate for the replacement vehicle loan.%
How many months you will take to repay the loan.mo
Estimated monthly cost for insurance, fuel, maintenance, registration, and similar ownership expenses.$

Recommendation

Repair likely wins

Repairing looks cheaper by about $14,131 over 36 months.

Repair scenario
$14,300
Replace scenario
$28,431
New monthly payment
$356
Amount financed
$18,000

Scenario cost comparison

Repair scenario$14,300
Replace scenario$28,431
Cost difference$14,131
Before replacing, get a second repair estimate and compare insurance costs. A cheaper payment can still be a more expensive car.

How this calculator works

The repair scenario adds the repair estimate, expected extra repairs, and your current monthly operating costs over the comparison period. The replacement scenario estimates a new car payment, adds the down payment, and includes monthly operating costs for the same period.

When repair can still be smart

A large repair can still be cheaper than replacing the car if it keeps you out of a new loan for long enough. The decision gets riskier when the repair is close to the car's value, more repairs are likely, or the car no longer fits your needs.