Auto Repair Guide to Repairs That Are Worth The Investment

Auto Repair Guide

Your car is towed to your local repair shop and the auto mechanic calls you a few hours later to tell you that you will need a new transmission. What now?

You’re probably wondering how to find quality automotive repair you can trust and will this car repair be worth your hard-earned money. It’s a difficult decision with many factors to consider.

Repairing Your Car Instead of Replacing It

There are many reasons you may consider repairing your vehicle instead of replacing it. But is that the smartest, most financially sound decision? 

Below are some factors that may appeal to your decision to keep the vehicle such as:

  • If your car is paid off. You have already made all the monthly payments (plus interest and taxes), and that money is now being used in other areas of your life. Do you want to commit to coming up with another down payment? Are you ready to face another round of monthly car payments?
  • If your car is less than four years old or so and it has been generally reliable, it will most likely last several more years after the major repair and with continued maintenance and minor repairs.
  • You are aware of what your car insurance and yearly registration costs are and you would like to keep them the same or lower each year on your current car as it ages. 
  • You have already taken the depreciation hit on your car. During its first year, a new car depreciates by approximately 22 percent of its value. Are you ready to pay another round? 
  • You have broken your car in already and are familiar with its history.
  • You don’t want to face the hassle of deciding which car you want and can afford. Most people dread facing the car-buying process.

There are some valid reasons to keep your vehicle, authorize the repair at your auto repair shop, and just hope for the best. On the other hand, you don’t want to continue to pour money into a vehicle that only seems to constantly need more. 

Buying Another Car Instead of Repairing It

Below are a few reasons to strongly consider getting rid of your car, rather than investing in another costly repair:

  • Large repairs are starting to become the norm rather than the exception. 
  • The latest repair you are facing is estimated to cost over half the value of your car.
  • You have been considering investing in another vehicle anyway due to changed circumstances.
  • If it’s paid off, it is probably an older vehicle that lacks the most up-to-date technology and safety features.
  • You have noticed your fuel efficiency consistently isn’t what it should be. 
  • Your car no longer has a warranty left and any repairslarge or smallcome out of your pocket.
  • Your car often leaves you stranded.

In addition to disadvantages, there are also some advantages to ditching your clunker of a vehicle. For starters, you could invest in a safer one. Another advantage would be the money you can make from it. Do you know what the trade-in value of your car is or what the market is saying you could get for it if you sold it yourself?

Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of comparing the repair cost to the vehicle’s market value. The real question should be how much it will cost for you to purchase a newer vehicle with the new technology and safety features you want. 

When faced with decisions like these, it’s important to gather as many facts as you can before making the choice to either repair or replace your car. Don’t let what seems like an emergency situation pressure you into making a decision you may regret in the long run. 

Preventative Maintenance Is Always Key

There is no other way to avoid the dilemma of “repair or replace”. This responsibility will solely fall upon you, the owner of the vehicle. There are things you can do or simply be aware of that will keep your car healthy. 

Next, work with your local auto repair shop to keep your vehicle in top mechanical order at all times. Minor issues can be taken care of fast before they turn into one of those costly repairs that will catch you by surprise.

First Line of Defense: You

Here are a few things you can take care of on a daily basis to keep you from facing the difficult decision of paying for a large repair bill or replacing the car before you planned on it.

Regular Auto Maintenance

It’s true that there are a number of recommended inspections and maintenance checks listed in your car owner’s manual. Plus, any reputable car repair shop will remind you of those same checks, so it can seem overwhelming. Some people may have the idea that those service calls aren’t really necessary, only ploys to get you into the shop so you will spend more money.

The majority of mechanical failures are a result of owner neglect, so routine car maintenance is necessary to protect the investment you made when you purchased your vehicle. We strongly recommend paying attention to all those reminders and paying attention to the red flags your car is showing you. A “check engine” light is an indication that something is wrong; even if it turns out to be minor, there’s a chance it can be serious. Ignoring these signs will not make them go away. A minor repair that is delayed can quickly turn into a major problem, complete with a high price tag.

As soon as you notice anything out of the ordinary or you receive a reminder about a scheduled maintenance check, take action as soon as you can. 

Check Fluid Levels

Maintaining proper fluid levels and changing fluids as recommended is another simple way to avoid those expensive repairs, the ones that lead to decisions about repairing or replacing. Fluids make all the parts throughout the car work smoothly. They are essential to keeping your vehicle on the road safely. 

Some are easier than others for you to check yourself, like the oil level, wiper fluid, and antifreeze. Others might require a little more knowledge and maybe the right tool, like transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. Whichever the fluid is that you need to have checked, your auto shop is always ready to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for assistance.

Take Care of the Tires

You may not understand how the health of your tires is an integral component to protecting your car from major repairs in the future. If your tires are inflated properly or not rotated regularly, the tread will begin to wear unevenly. The same with aligning the tires periodically. This then puts pressure on the car’s chassis and wheels that keep you and your passengers firmly connected to the road. 

Learn how to check your own tire pressure and make sure the tires are being checked on a regular basis at your auto shop.

Replace Filters

A dirty air filter prevents the necessary airflow to the engine, which then affects gas mileage and acceleration. Changing it yourself is an easy task or you can arrange for it to be changed when you take your car in for its regular service. 

The fuel filter keeps debris, grime, and other assorted impurities from getting into the engine in your car. The filter needs to be changed regularly since it gets clogged with all these particles that it keeps out of the engine.

The cabin filter does more than ensure good air quality for your passengers. The heating and cooling system in your car is affected by a dirty, clogged cabin filter. That in turn can lead to premature failure of HVAC components.

Taking care of what you have is generally smarter than avoiding and ignoring obvious signs of trouble ahead. Your car is no different. You paid a large chunk of money for it, so why not maintain it as best you can? 

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Second Line of Defense: Your Auto Shop and Trusted Mechanic

It’s important to have an auto shop and mechanics in your contacts list that you can trust. Due to the solid relationship we developed before you encountered major vehicle problems, you can be certain that Lamb’s Tire & Automotive has your best interests at heart. We will diagnose the problem and then suggest the best course of action to take. Let’s face it, most drivers don’t know much about their cars beyond the basic needs and upkeep. To determine whether an expensive mechanical repair is worth it or not, you need to have a professional on your side that tells you the truth.

That kind of trust is built over time. After you check your car owners’ manual, you should have a better idea of the inspections and preventative maintenance they recommend. Hopefully, you have been taking your vehicle to the shop for those services and working with the mechanics and service staff to keep the vehicle in top working order. Here is a quick summary of those checks:

  • Oil and oil filter change
  • Tire inspection
  • AC inspection
  • Battery check
  • Engine diagnostic (if needed)
  • Fluid check
  • Belts and hoses inspection

Many of these checks can be combined in one visit. While the oil is being changed, professional mechanics will check fluids, tires, etc. too. Discuss this with the service staff at your local Lamb’s Tire & Automotive shop and get the most for your time and your money. High quality shops keep detailed records of all your visits, which will come in handy if a major repair is indicated. It helps the mechanic diagnose the problem and it helps you understand what might be happening since you have been keeping up with proper maintenance.

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Some Major Repairs That May Not Be Worth Your Money

If you find you need to make the decision of whether to pay big bucks on an auto repair, here are some auto repairs that may not be worth the money. Based on the research you’ve already done on your vehicle and the history of your car, you might want to weigh these repairs carefully.

Engine Replacement

An engine that isn’t salvageable can carry a cost of between $3,000 to $7,000. Add even more if the engine is a diesel or the car is a performance or luxury vehicle. Of course, if your powertrain warranty is still in effect, the cost should be covered for you. If not, your car is most likely over 5 years old with around 60,000 miles on it. It is hard to justify the cost of a new engine on an older car. 

Replacing a Head Gasket

A head gasket helps keep gases, oil, and coolant in the engine by creating a seal between the engine block and cylinder head. You can plan on spending anywhere between $1,200 and $1,500 to replace this gasket. Plus, it usually isn’t just the gasket that needs to be replaced when it goes bad. It is often part of a bigger, more expensive repair, so the tab begins at the figures above and then escalates from there.

Transmission Replacement

Replacing a transmission isn’t a repair people generally want to face. It is a time-intensive, complex, and expensive service. The price tag generally begins at $5,000 and goes up from there because the transmission is only one part of a series of other large repairs. Plus, most transmissions only fail after 100,000 miles, so it’s hard to justify paying that kind of money for a car with that many miles on it.

Bent Frame

The frame of a car is more than a metal structure with no other relationship to the mechanics of the vehicle. It provides support for the car and is an important safety feature. If the frame is bent, other critical systems will be impacted, like the radiator. The car becomes unsafe to drive. To fix it can cost up to $10,000, and if the bent frame is a result of an accident, that will be on top of all the other repairs, as well.

Steering Rack

The steering rack runs parallel to the front axle and aims the front wheels in the right direction. It is the most important part of your steering system. A damaged or faulty rack puts your safety at risk. The cost to replace it runs anywhere from $640 to $1,200 with labor between $280 and $360. Then adding parts can cost you anywhere between $350 and $830.

Catalytic Converter Replacement

The converter keeps toxic emissions from escaping into the air through the tailpipe. The repair is expensive, with most of the cost coming from parts, not labor. You can expect a bill of around $2,500. Without the converter, your car won’t pass an inspection or emissions tests if your state requires them. 

Heater Core

This is another pricey repair that is related to other systems. The heater core is one part of the general cooling system in the car, circulating the coolant through tubes and radiating heat inside the cabin. If the heater core has failed, related systems are probably damaged, too. Expect a bill that is a minimum of $1,000. 

Air Conditioner Compressor Replacement

This is another system that doesn’t work in isolation. Expect to pay more than $1,000 to fix the compressor, then the tab will grow as other systems become involved.

Clutch Replacement

Just like any other part on your vehicle, clutches wear out. When your car’s clutch needs replacing, expect to spend a minimum of $1,500 to replace it. The bill will most likely be higher, because it’s only one part of a larger problem: the transmission. 

A Complete Brake Job

Usually replacing a specific part of the brakes is manageable: the rotors or pads, calipers, etc. But when the entire system must be replaced, it’s a different decision. You can expect to spend well over $1,000 and be prepared for more bills to follow in all likelihood. Older cars need new brakes, so what else will fail before too long?

It is a Weighty Decision 

To repair or replace? There is no easy answer and you, as the owner of the vehicle, are the only one who can make it.

Weigh the pros and cons before an emergency presents itself. It isn’t wise to make decisions when you feel rushed, so establish a working relationship with your local Lamb’s Auto & Repair shop now. Keep up with all the normal inspections as well as auto repairs and routine car maintenance. Don’t ignore problems; take care of them as soon as they show up. Rely on Lamb’s and its service staff to keep good records on the work done on your car. 

To repair or replace? Now that you have enough insight to make an informed decision, are you ready to give us a call? Schedule an appointment with your local Lamb’s Tire & Automotive today.

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