Here Are Some Car Problems That Are Not Worth Fixing, Just Sell the Car

Some car problems with vehicles are unfixable, but not usually. Almost everything that can go wrong with one can be repaired, even if something as big as an engine or transmission has problems. 

But there are some repairs that, though fixable, are not worth fixing. So what are we talking about? Some car problems might seem reasonable to fix, but can get involved, and costly, in their pursuit. 

Here are some of the obvious car problems that might not be worth fixing.

1. Hybrid or EV Battery Replacement

If your electric vehicle or hybrid needs a new battery, it might be time to sell it. Batteries are expensive, they cost anywhere from N300,000 upwards. An electric battery replacement can easily cost millions to replace. 

2. Car Electrical Problems

Chasing electrical issues can be labour-intensive, and costly, especially now with so much technology packed into every vehicle. With more computing power in cars, how easy will it be once a couple of monitors or a gap in some wiring poses a problem? 

It’s best to reveal the problems to the next buyer and feel fortunate you passed the car’s problem onto someone willing to put the time, or cost, into fixing it. However, ensure the problem is one that the car can live with.

3. A Blown Head Gasket

Blown head gaskets have always been a problem. Not fixing the head gasket itself, that’s easy. The problem is that there is the potential for water and/or coolant to get into engine journals and bearings. 

And if you limp your car home with a blown head gasket, the only way you’ll know for sure is to look at the engine oil. If it’s milky, or there are obvious water indications on the dipstick, soon that engine will be toast. A complete rebuild will be necessary. 

4. A Bent Car Frame

If you get hit hard enough to bend the car’s frame, it means the components took a hard hit. And that means problems sooner or later. Cracked transmission cases, bent axles, and other ailments become a real possibility. 

The frame can be twisted back to one frame table, so that isn’t the issue. Besides compromised components, if the hit also damages some of the crumple zone, meant to absorb some of the energy of a crash, then if involved in another accident, your safety is compromised. Even a frame replacement won’t fix that. Time to move on.

5. A Bad Transmission

Usually, this doesn’t happen when a car is newer. If it does, the manufacturer’s warranty should take care of it. But as the vehicle gets more miles on the ticker, the wear and tear on the automatic transmission means once it needs to be rebuilt, or replaced, and that costs a lot of money.

• Here’s Why Your Car’s Head Gasket Easily Breaks Down
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• Five Signs You Have Blown The Head Gasket Of Your Car
• White Smoke From Exhaust – Main Causes And How To Fix
• Why’s My Car Leaking Oil? Here’s What You Should Do 

Since the vehicle has a few miles on it, it’s worth significantly less than new. Is it worth putting over N300,000 to a car worth less than N3 million? Maybe, but probably not. That’s more than a third of the value of the entire car. Sure, you’ll have a new transmission, but next year that car might be worth only N1.5 million. It becomes a matter of diminishing returns. And also time to start looking for another car. 

Conclusion

This article does not state that repairing broken parts of your car is not worth it. Rather, there are some car issues that mere repair will not add to it. Sometimes, certain car parts get ruined and even a fix won’t solve the issue. Other times, harmless car issues that are very expensive can be left alone, especially if the vehicle still functions properly.