So, you’ve had your vehicle for a while and now you’ve noticed that you’ve been putting more and more money into it for auto repairs. After a while, this gets very stressful and very annoying. You constantly say that you refuse to put another penny into fixing your vehicle, but then you break down and decide that you aren’t quite ready to give it all up just yet, so you pay for the repairs and keep your fingers crossed it won’t happen again for a while. Anyone who has kept a vehicle for several years has probably run into a similar situation.

No matter how well you have maintained your vehicle through the years, used vehicles will undoubtedly need repair work at some point.  Some of these repairs are just minor expenses, however others can cost well into the thousands of dollars. But before you give up on your car and start to search for a brand new one, you may want to consider the true cost of repairing your vehicle versus buying a new one. Of course, we realize that everyone’s situation is different, but oftentimes, buying a new car just to avoid paying for an expensive auto repair is not the best financial decision.

No one wants to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars every month in order to keep their used vehicle on the road. But how much more will a new vehicle cost you in the long run? Sure, new vehicles come with a warranty, they sometimes include vehicle maintenance costs and new features like backup cameras and blind-spot sensors. But it is also important to remember that they will also come with a down payment, monthly payments, higher insurance premiums, tax and registration fees, depreciation and more. Buying a new car may seem like a good choice, but for some people it will just end up costing more in the long run.

Even if you’ve taken good care of your car, some-high priced repairs are unavoidable, sometimes due to excessive wear or just time itself. According to an article from Edmund’s, rubber belts and hoses dry out and crack, metal on rotors warp or wears too thin and electrical parts stop working. Wear-and-tear items such as axle boots, belts and brake rotors will eventually need to be replaced. The repair costs  are not cheap, but they are necessary, and will give your vehicle some additional time on the road. This will give you more time to save up for a new vehicle and catch back up with the money you spent on the repairs.

If you decide that it would make the most financial sense to come up with the money and make necessary repairs for your vehicle instead of buying a new one, we here at Good Works Auto Repair can assist you with any repairs you need. From car engines to tires, we do it all. If you’ve already made the repairs and are now looking for a trusted auto repair shop to do some preventative maintenance and help your vehicle last longer and drive better, we do that too. Or maybe you’re just looking for some friendly advice as to what you should do if you find yourself in this very situation – should you buy a new vehicle or should you put some money into repairs? We can offer suggestions with this as well. Owning a vehicle can be stressful at times, but it is our job to help you make the best decision for your vehicle and your family.