Is it better to repair or total a car?

Is it better to repair or total a car?

This question all depends on your specific situation. For this post let’s assume your vehicle is borderline total loss. We’ll run through some scenarios to help you decide, below.

1. I am upside down on my car loan

In this case it makes more sense to repair your vehicle. Nobody wants to pay for something they no longer own. The downfall here is when you try to sell the vehicle after it is paid off you will not be able to sell it with a clean title. However, you might make up for it with how great the vehicle looks after it has been transformed by a professional body shop.

2. I just spent thousands at the automotive repair shop

Since you just put a lot of money into it mechanically, depending on the wreck it may still be a mechanically sound car. If you were rear ended this car would need some mechanical help, but not nearly as severe as if the whole front was smashed in. This is one you want to keep driving to get your money’s worth since you likely won’t make up for it selling it with a salvaged title. Plus, if you were to sell this one, you might end up with a used vehicle with thousands of dollars of problems. You should keep the one you know is running well in this scenario.

3. I love my car

This is a reason you should keep your vehicle. Repairing your vehicle is cheaper than taking out a loan or paying monthly payments on a brand-new vehicle. It is often in the best interest of the insurance company to total a car, so you will need to look out for your own best interests.

4. I do not love my car

This goes back to would you rather pay to fix it, or have monthly payments for a new car? Another option is to take the buyout of your old vehicle and put it towards another used vehicle. You might be thinking, well my buyout will be minimal. Always keep your receipts from repair shops. You can give this information to the adjuster and they will take it into consideration when determining the settlement you get for your total loss. If you do purchase a used vehicle, make sure you take it in to a trusted repair shop for a pre-purchase buyers’ inspection. The last thing you want after getting in an accident is to purchase a vehicle with thousands of dollars in problems. Cline Collision Center is a 5-star auto body repair facility located in Santa Rosa, CA. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Give us a call at 707-591-9909 to learn more about what we have to offer you and your vehicle, today. Or, stop by for a free estimate!