Selling a Car with Engine Damage: Options, Prices, Process

An engine-failure diagnosis hits car owners hard. Suddenly there is a repair quote of 5,000 to 15,000 francs on the table — often more than the car is still worth. The good news: even a vehicle with a terminal engine failure has a market value, and selling it is easier than many think.

Repair or sell? The honest calculation

Rule of thumb: if repair costs exceed 50 to 60 percent of the vehicle's current value, repairing rarely makes economic sense. An example:

In this example you would invest 7,500 francs to own a car barely worth more than the repair itself — while every other wear part keeps ageing. Selling directly, as-is, is almost always the better choice here.

Why defective cars are still in demand

• Parts market: gearbox, body panels, electronics and interior all have standalone value.
• Export market: in many countries repair costs are far lower — a repair that makes no sense in Switzerland pays off there.
• Specialised workshops: dealers with their own workshop rebuild engines at wholesale rates.

How the sale works

1. Declare honestly: describe the damage as precisely as possible (symptoms, diagnosis, mileage).
2. Get a quote: reputable buyers also value non-running vehicles — free of charge at autosofortkauf.ch.
3. Collection: non-running cars are picked up by trailer, also free.
4. Payment: cash or instant transfer at handover.

Mistakes to avoid

Never conceal the damage — it can have legal consequences and will surface at the inspection anyway. Don't invest in partial repairs "for the sale" either: you almost never recover those costs. And don't accept deductions that are suddenly "discovered" at pick-up — reputable buyers honour their quote when the information was accurate.

autosofortkauf.ch buys vehicles with engine damage, gearbox damage or other defects throughout Switzerland — with fair valuations, free trailer collection and immediate payment. Request your quote now.