Repair or Replace Calculator
Repair or Replace Calculator for a Major Car Repair
Put the repair bill next to the numbers that actually matter: what the car is worth now, what it may be worth repaired, how long you expect to keep it, and what comparable transportation would really cost.
Need the full decision framework first? Read Is My Car Worth Fixing?
Your numbers
What you could realistically sell or trade the vehicle for today, with the problem present.
What the vehicle would realistically be worth after the repair is completed correctly.
The confirmed estimate for the repair in front of you.
Optional: tires, brakes, maintenance, rust work, or other known near-term costs.
What it would realistically cost to buy comparable transportation—not just a down payment.
How many useful months you reasonably expect this repair to buy if no major surprise appears.
Finish the inputs to see your snapshot.
- Current as-is value is required.
- Expected value after repair is required.
- Current repair estimate is required.
- Realistic replacement cost is required.
Decision snapshot
Enter your numbers to compare the paths
This is a transparent financial screen, not a diagnosis. It cannot see rust, safety issues, repair quality, hidden faults, or how much you personally trust the vehicle.
What the calculator does
Compare the ownership paths—not just the repair percentage.
A large repair bill can look irrational until you compare it with the money required to replace the vehicle. The calculator also shows how much market value the repair may restore and what the repair costs per expected month of useful service.
It deliberately does not pretend to know whether the diagnosis is correct or whether another major failure is coming. Those are vehicle facts, not calculator facts.
Use honest numbers.
- Use a realistic as-is exit value, not a clean-retail asking price.
- Include known near-term costs such as tires, brakes, or overdue maintenance.
- Use the cost of a replacement you would actually buy.
- Be conservative about how much reliable service the repair is likely to buy.
Build the full decision.
Is My Car Worth Fixing?
Use the full technician-built framework for repair cost, vehicle condition, replacement economics, and expected useful life.
Is Engine Replacement Worth It?
Got a major engine quote? Check the diagnosis, root cause, vehicle condition, warranty, and replacement economics before you approve it.
Is Transmission Replacement Worth It?
Got a major transmission quote? Check the diagnosis, failure cause, warranty, total installed cost, and replacement economics before you approve it.
How Much Is My Car Worth?
Build a defensible as-is and post-repair value before you compare the paths.
150,000 Miles: Is It Still Worth Fixing?
See why mileage changes the risk picture without automatically deciding the outcome.