Repair Costs for Used Cars: An Insider’s Guide

When you purchase a used car, it is a known fact that something will eventually need repair. While a new car purchase might come with a warranty, a used car might require various sorts of maintenance or even major parts replacements at some point. In this article, we will delve into the common repair costs one might encounter with a used car and share some personal anecdotes to provide a clearer picture of what to expect.

Common Repair Costs on Used Cars

Consider the experience of Mr. A, who purchased his current used car in 2007. Over the past 2.5 years, he has encountered some notable repair costs, including a total of 500 for bad injectors, 1400 for a new throttle body, and 2800 for a new traction battery. His 2005 Toyota Prius has accumulated 178,000 miles and has only required repairs since 2007 when he took possession with 14,000 miles. Despite these repair costs, the car has been a great asset overall.

Unexpected Repairs and the Cost of Owning a Used Car

In the fourth year, a common yet problematic issue hit Mr. A’s car - the swirl flaps, which turned out to be an expensive affair for the engine, adding up to a total of 1600. Two years later, the turbo failed, another 1800 added to the budget. On top of that, the previous engine rebuild caused some additional 400 in repairs. Apart from these, the car also faced normal wear and tear issues such as clutch and flywheel changes and suspension element replacements after 260,000 kilometers. Even with these repairs, the overall cost was still lower than what the depreciation would have been had he bought a brand new car.

These are the typical repair costs you might encounter with a used car. However, it's important to understand that any time you buy a used car, there will be something that needs attention. While you can take steps to mitigate these risks, you can't completely avoid them.

Investing in Your Used Car

Mr. A’s love for fixing and personalizing used cars is evident from his experience with the 1989 Volvo 240 Turbo wagon. He purchased it for 150, a car with poorly adjusted fuel injection, and after adjusting the engine, spending about 100 on necessary modifications and passing emissions test, he was able to enjoy the car for quite some time. This experience taught him that some repairs are part of owning a used car and can be seen as an investment rather than an expense.

The Specialty of Used Car Repairs

Stretching further into the realm of unusual repairs is the story of Mr. A’s 1962 Porsche 356B Carrera II. This car had been fully restored, but it quickly became clear that a routine maintenance car was a misjudgment. The car suffered an engine seizure, leading to the replacement of the crank and two connecting rods, costing nearly 30,000. The root cause of this was discovered to be a critical error made by the engine rebuild specialist who had early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

This story highlights the importance of thorough inspection before purchasing a used car and understanding the history and condition of the vehicle.

Conclusion

No matter how well you inspect and maintain a used car, there will always be some form of repair cost associated with it. However, these expenses can often be seen as an investment in the car rather than a pure financial loss. By understanding this and planning accordingly, you can mitigate some of the stress and costs involved in owning a used car.