Repair vs Replace

Compare a repair with the cash outlay for a replacement.

Your numbers

Enter your numbers to see the result.

How Repair vs Replace works

The repair option adds the repair bill to operating costs over the selected years. The replacement option adds upfront cash, payments and insurance changes over the same period. The difference compares cash outlay, not resale value.

A worked example

These sample values illustrate the calculation. Use your own numbers in the calculator for your result.

Example inputs

Current car value ($): 5000
Repair quote ($): 1800
Comparison period / extra life (years): 2
Current monthly operating cost ($): 200
Replacement price ($): 20000
Replacement upfront payment ($): 3000
Replacement monthly payment ($): 350
Monthly insurance change ($): 30

Replacement outlay minus repair outlay: $10,320.00
Repair option cash outlay: $6,600.00
Replacement cash outlay: $16,920.00
Repair / current value: 36%

Assumptions and limits

Compares cash outlay over the entered period, not economic ownership cost. Assumes equal operating cost before the insurance change. Replacement sticker price is context; payment and upfront cash determine outlay. Resale values are excluded. Have safety and reliability concerns inspected by a qualified mechanic.

Check lender terms and manufacturer guidance. These estimates do not replace a mechanical inspection.