Transparent calculator methodology
Compare the total economic cost of fixing or replacing a car
A repair estimate should be compared with the full cost of replacement—not only a monthly payment. This tool combines depreciation, financing interest, operating costs, and editable expected-repair assumptions.
What the estimate includes
- Immediate repair and expected future-repair costs
- Current and replacement vehicle depreciation
- Financing interest and purchase fees
- Fuel, maintenance, insurance, and ownership cost per mile
How the comparison works
Each path adds the modeled loss in vehicle value, financing cost, and operating expenses across the same ownership horizon. The repair ceiling shows how large the current repair could become before the two modeled costs are equal.
Important limitation
The tool cannot predict a specific breakdown, safety condition, or vehicle lifespan. Have a qualified technician inspect safety-critical or recurring problems before relying on the financial comparison.