How the verdict is reached
The calculator divides the repair quote by the car’s value. Below about 15% the repair usually looks reasonable; between 15% and 35% it deserves careful thought; between 35% and 60% it is hard to justify on value alone; above that, replacing the car may be the better option. It then adds the maintenance a car of this age and mileage typically needs over the period you plan to keep it, and spreads the total per month.
Spreading matters. A €1,200 repair on a car you will keep for three more years costs around €33 a month on top of normal running costs, which may be far cheaper than changing cars. The same repair a few months before you sell is rarely recovered in the sale price.
What else to weigh up
- Safety: brakes, steering, tyres and suspension faults should be fixed or the car taken off the road, whatever the maths says.
- Reliability: is this an isolated fault, or one of several jobs coming up? Ask the garage what else they saw.
- Second opinion: for large quotes, a second quote or a specialist can change the numbers considerably.
- Replacement cost: a “cheaper” replacement car comes with its own unknowns, fees and depreciation.
For a fuller walk-through, read repair or sell: how to decide and clutch wear warning signs.
Want the details? Read how Car Ahead calculates its estimates, or browse the other free tools.