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Repair or Replace
A framework for weighing a repair estimate against your car's remaining value and expected life.
There is no single formula, but a good rule of thumb starts with three numbers: the repair estimate, the private-party value of the car in working order, and the reasonable service life you expect afterward.
If a repair costs a significant fraction of the car's post-repair value, the decision moves from mechanical to financial. Reliability history, safety, and the cost of a replacement all belong in that conversation.
Our guides walk through the tradeoffs step by step so you can make the call with clear eyes, not sunk-cost thinking.