Repair or sell calculator

A big repair bill on an older car can be a tough call. This tool compares the repair cost against your car's value and running costs to help you think it through.

Repair vs. value

Estimated repair cost

Current estimated value of the car

Annual running costs if kept (insurance + tax + maintenance)

How many more years would you plan to keep it?

Repair or sell?

Repair cost as % of current value

60%

Total cost if kept (repair + running costs over the years you specified)

£3,900

A widely used rule of thumb says that once a repair costs more than around 50% of a car's value, it's often worth considering selling instead. You're above that threshold here — it may be worth getting a couple of repair quotes and comparing them against what you could get selling as-is.

This is an estimate for guidance only and does not constitute financial or mechanical advice. It's a rule of thumb, not a definitive answer — a trusted mechanic can tell you far more about whether a specific repair is worthwhile.

Get an idea of interest in your car instead