Is my car worth fixing?
Facing a big repair bill? Enter the quote and what your car is worth running to apply the 50% rule - the mechanic's rule of thumb for whether a repair is worth it - then compare that to what the car is worth as-is if you sell or junk it instead.
Is your car worth fixing?
Enter the repair quote and what the car is worth running. We'll apply the 50% rule - the mechanic's rule of thumb for whether a repair is worth it.
Leaning toward selling it?
See what it's worth as-is - even non-running - with our junk car value calculator, then compare that cash to the repair bill. Or read the repair-or-junk guide.
How the 50% rule works
Mechanics and car-buying guides lean on a simple rule of thumb: if a repair costs more than roughly half of what your car is worth running, fixing it usually isn't the smart play. The logic is straightforward - you'd be sinking a large share of the car's value into one repair, on a vehicle that may have more wear coming. Under that line, repairs are often worth it; well over it, you're typically better off selling the car and putting the money toward your next one.
The rule is a starting point, not a verdict. A $1,500 repair on a car worth $2,500 is 60% of its value - above the line - but if the body and the rest of the drivetrain are solid and you'd otherwise face car payments, fixing it can still win. The opposite is also true: a repair that's technically "worth it" on paper isn't, if the car already nickel-and-dimes you every other month.
What to factor in beyond the percentage
- The repairs you can already see coming. Fixing the transmission only to need tires, brakes, and a timing belt next year changes the math. Add up the next 12 months, not just today's quote.
- The rest of the car's condition. A clean body and interior on a car with one big mechanical problem is worth saving more often than a rough car with the same repair.
- What you'd actually get selling it. The real comparison is the repair bill against the cash in hand from selling as-is - not against zero. Even a non-running car has real value in its parts, metal, and catalytic converter.
- The cost of replacing it. A repair can look expensive next to a $3,000 car but cheap next to two years of payments on a replacement.
When junking it usually wins
If the repair meets or exceeds the car's running value, the decision is nearly made for you - you'd spend as much as the car is worth and still own an old car. The same goes for a car with a failed engine or transmission and high mileage, or one that needs several repairs at once. In those cases, selling it as-is and skipping the repair is almost always the better financial move. See exactly what your car is worth right now with our junk car value calculator, and read the full repair or junk your car guide for more on making the call.
Frequently asked questions
It's a common rule of thumb: if a repair costs more than about half of what the car is worth running, you're usually better off selling or junking it than paying for the fix. It's a starting point, not a hard line - the car's overall condition and any repairs you see coming matter too.