Should I Repair My Car Before Selling It?

We've all experienced it - that moment when we receive an invoice for a repair and question whether it's truly worth investing in our car. 

Should I repair my car before selling it? Is it worth it?

As cars age and accumulate more and more miles, maintenance costs become inevitable. Maybe the last repair bill hit you particularly hard, or you've been tallying up expenses over the past few years. Whatever it is, you're now contemplating whether your current vehicle is truly worth it.

In this blog post, we'll break down some of the most significant considerations that will help you weigh the options and make an informed choice about whether to repair or sell your car today.

What is the true cost of repairs?

When it comes to deciding whether to repair or sell your car, finances play a crucial role for most people. Assess the actual amount you've been spending on repairs by tallying up your expenses over the past year or two, and if your costs mainly consist of routine MOT and service fees, with occasional additional expenses for minor repairs like
 replacements, the reality is that your overall costs are relatively low. 

Upgrading your car can often come with a notable increase in your budget. If you still need a car for your daily commuting, you should probably stick with your current car at this point unless it’s really clinging on for dear life.

On the other hand, if your expenses are always soaring into the hundreds or thousands of pounds over the years, or you are faced with a particularly expensive repair cost, buying a new car might work in your favour. 

Is it possible to budget for a new car?

The cost of buying a new car alone can be a deal-breaker. If you want to reduce repair expenses in the future, it might be best to go for new or used cars that require a substantial one-time payment or monthly financing. If the cost of a new car significantly outweighs that of your repair bill, you might be best off holding onto your current car for the time being. 

However, keep in mind that a new car is likely to provide value and functionality that your current car might not be able to match, especially if the car is a significant upgrade. Though you might be spending more, you extract more value out of a new car throughout its lifetime even up to the point of selling where it continues to be an asset for future finance decisions. 

Ultimately, the decision depends on your individual circumstances. If your budget allows for ongoing expenses on a car and you simply desire an upgrade from your current vehicle, selling it and moving on may be the best course of action. 

However, if your budget is tighter, it is advisable to conduct a detailed cost breakdown to determine what you can afford presently and what you may be able to afford in the future.

Ultimately, the decision to sell your car or to simply repair it is yours based on individual circumstances. If you can afford to, upgrading your car and selling your current one may be the best for you. However, if your budget is tighter, consider breaking down what you can and can’t afford and go from there. 

Exploring Selling Options

The decision to sell your car is often influenced by the potential sale price and the ease of finding a buyer. If your goal is to maximise the value of your vehicle, your approach will differ significantly from someone who wants to sell it quickly and is less concerned about the selling price.

If you find yourself investing a significant amount of money in repairs, the chances of obtaining a high selling price for your car decrease. In these cases, the main focus of the sale may be to offload the car to avoid further expenses, rather than aiming to recoup a substantial portion of your initial investment. 

If you're looking for a hassle-free sale of your car, Sell 2 Swansway’s car valuation tool can help. With a guaranteed quotation and free collection, selling your car has never been easier! Simply enter your registration number to get started. 

Selling your car privately often results in a higher selling price, but this is only worthwhile if your car is still valuable. It may be that you're looking to sell your vehicle before facing larger repair costs, making private selling a viable option - especially if your car is relatively new. 

Keep in mind that potential buyers will thoroughly examine the car and its maintenance history. Therefore, if you are selling it in spite of recurring issues that a new owner would have to address, it may not be worth attempting to sell it privately. 

Prolonging the Lifespan of Your Vehicle

If you don’t want to quite let go of your current car and think that repairing it is still the best option, you’ll want to make sure that you’re getting as much value and utility as possible. There are many ways you can do this, most of which can be summarised into a simple: 

“Drive carefully”

While it may sound obvious, adopting a more mindful driving approach can help you extract additional mileage from your vehicle. Reduce your speed and drive more efficiently, particularly during the initial phase of a drive. By gradually accelerating and braking less aggressively while the engine and braking systems warm up, you can reduce wear on these costly components.

It may sound like common sense, but maintaining a mindful approach to your car goes a long way to extracting additional mileage from it. 

This means efficient driving speeds and regularly cleaning it on the inside and out to prevent build-up of abrasive substances that could lead to rust and erosion. That second part is especially important during winter months when road salts and fluctuating temperatures pose additional challenges to your car’s exterior.

Similarly, keep up with regular servicing and MOT checks to help identify potentially costly issues before they escalate. Not only will this ensure your car is in optimal condition, but it will also contribute to long-term cost savings and avoiding expensive consequences in the future.

Ultimately, only you can make the best decision for you and your car. The truth is, sometimes repairing a car is worthwhile and other times your best option is to just sell and start fresh with something new. 

Crunch the numbers, consider your expenses, budget carefully, and make a decision that fully aligns with your needs - not just now but for years to come. 

For further guidance and additional considerations when selling your car, contact us today.