Are Car Repairs Worth the Money?

How to know when it’s a good time to invest in repairs and when to walk away

Did you know the average age of cars and trucks on the road in the United States right now is 12.1 years? That’s according to a recent study by IHS Markit. The number is up from previous years and one of the main reasons why is COVID-19. The pandemic brought new cars sales to a screeching halt and car-owners found themselves suddenly paying for repairs rather than purchasing a new one.

Deciding to invest in your current car or trade it in for a new model can be a tough decision. A lot depends on how much your car is worth and what repairs are needed. There comes a point when it doesn’t make economic sense to invest in your vehicle.

Here is a list of common car repairs that are not worth the money.

• Engine tune-ups. Cars built in the last two decades are just smarter and better. Their onboard computer systems are meant to adjust and handle things engines back in the day couldn’t. It’s not necessary to give your engine a tune-up. If it isn’t running smoothly, pay for a diagnostic test and try to isolate the real cause of your problem.
• Air Conditioning Recharge. There’s nothing worse than getting in your car on a hot summer day, turning on the a/c and feeling some barely cool air blow back at you. Your dad will suggest a quick “recharge” to solve your problem. That used to be the solution, but these days, car a/c systems are sealed tightly and rarely experience a loss of refrigerant. If your car isn’t cooling like it used to, it’s likely a blower problem or a leak in the air circulation system. Recharging it won’t work, time to take it in for a real repair.
• Fuel Injector Cleaning. Gasoline is cleaner than it used to be, it’s also full of more additives and detergents that prevent build-up in the first place. If your car stalls or suddenly seems slow – put in some higher-octane gasoline and see if that does the trick. For more information about fuel octanes, click here.

When it comes to major repairs like, replacing a transmission, you have to examine the value of the car compared to the cost of the repair. When the cost of the upkeep is more than the value, it’s probably time to trade it in. You can find the value of your vehicle here.

Car repairs are intimidating, and once your vehicle gets up in age, they’re inevitable. Protect My Car offers peace of mind for the car owner who is paralyzed by the prospect of an unexpected and expensive repair. We provide our customers the peace of mind and reliability they need. For more information on our coverage plans and how we can put your mind at ease, click here.