Your car’s engine is its heart and soul, and a blown engine is never a good thing. It's frustrating and can put you in a difficult situation, especially if you still owe money on it. You might wonder if it's worth trying to sell it or if it’s better to get it fixed. The truth is, a car with a blown engine is worth something, and it’s not a total loss. Keep reading to find out what to do with your car when it has a blown engine.
Understand the Value –
When your car engine fails, it doesn’t mean the entire car is useless. A blown engine reduces the value of your car, but it doesn’t make your car valueless entirely. The key is to have realistic expectations. Generally, used car dealerships pay around 10% to 15% less for vehicles with engine issues. Their justification for this is they need to repair the engine before the car can be resold.
Sell the Parts –
Your car has parts that are still valuable, even if the engine is blown. You can list your vehicle for sale individually or sell it to a junkyard. Selling to a junkyard is valuable if you don’t want to go through the effort of selling the parts yourself. The junkyard will purchase your car for scrap metal and then remove all the valuable pieces to sell later. Some parts that are still valuable include the transmission, tires, rims, batteries, and some electronic components.
Fix the Engine –
The most viable option is to repair the engine. An engine rebuild or replacement might cost you anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000 or more, depending on the make and model of the car. However, it will significantly increase the value of the vehicle, making it a viable option, especially if you own a reliable car. Remember, if you owe money on the car, you can’t sell it unless you pay off the outstanding loan balance.
Contact an Auto Salvage Yard -
Most auto recycling companies and parts recyclers will purchase your vehicle as is, and in some cases, it might offer more than a junkyard. They'll then extract any pieces, weigh the unused parts for metal valuations, and eventually sell them. The reimbursement you receive for your car with a blown engine will depend on the make, model, and year of your car.
Consider donating the car –
Also, you may want to consider donating the car to a local charity or non-profit organization. You might get a tax break or a higher resale value, based on how the charity prefers to handle its donations.
Conclusion: Selling Car with a Blown Engine
If you're dealing with a blown engine, it’s crucial to assess your car's value realistically. While the value of your car decreases when the engine is blown, making it worth less than it would be if the engine was functioning correctly, it's still worth something. The best option is to fix the engine if it's a viable option or sell unwanted cars to cash the valuable parts to a junkyard or auto salvage yard. With a little research and effort, you can turn an unwanted car with a blown engine into cash and, in some cases, even a tax break.