A simple way to decide
Compare the repair cost against what the car is worth and what it would cost to replace with something of the same condition. These bands are a rule of thumb, not a rule.
| Job | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Repair is under 30% of the car's value | Almost always worth repairing |
| Repair is 30% to 50% of value | Worth it if the car is otherwise sound |
| Repair is 50% to 80% of value | Only if you know its full history |
| Repair exceeds the car's value | Usually time to move on |
| Multiple large jobs due at once | Add them all up before deciding |
What affects the cost
What the car is actually worth
Check current asking prices for the same model, age, mileage and condition, not what you paid. Be honest about condition, because that is what a buyer will judge.
What else is coming
A £900 clutch on a car that also needs tyres, brakes, a cambelt and an MOT is really a £2,500 decision. Ask the garage what else they can see.
The cost of replacing it
A good used car costs money to buy, tax, insure and often service straight away. A known car with one big repair done is frequently cheaper than an unknown one.
Insurance write-off categories
Category N and S cars can legally be repaired and returned to the road, but they carry a marker that reduces resale value and can complicate future insurance.
When repairing usually makes sense
- You know the car's history and it has been well maintained.
- The failure is a single, well-defined job rather than several at once.
- The bodywork and interior are sound and the MOT history is clean.
- There is no structural or flood damage.
- The repair extends the car's life by several years, such as a cambelt or clutch.
How to pay a fair price
Before writing a car off in your own mind, get more than one quote. The gap between garages on a big job is often several hundred pounds, and a repair that looks uneconomic at one price can make perfect sense at another. Describe the job once on RepairRadar and let local garages compete.
Compare local quotesFrequently asked questions
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