Is It Cheaper to Repair or Buy a New Car in Suffolk County?

It is almost always cheaper to repair your car rather than buy a new one. The average car is made up of around 30,000 individual components, which can be replaced and maintained.

The average car in America will last up to 150,000 miles or around 17 years. Some newer cars can last up to 200,000 miles with regular auto maintenance and occasional repairs.

Dee Pat’s Awsomotive is a trusted auto repair shop in Selden, serving nearby areas like Centereach, Farmingville, Mount Sinai, and Coram. See why repairs are often the best choice when you have car troubles, and talk to our team for expert service at a fair price.

How Much is Too Much? Should I Spend $4,000 To Fix a Car?

You should spend $4,000 to fix a car if most of the vehicle is in good condition. While this is a substantial investment, it is typically less than a single year’s worth of payments on a new vehicle.



On Long Island, the average monthly payment for a new car has increased significantly in the last ten years, often exceeding $700 per month. When you add increased insurance premiums for a newer model, a $4,000 repair is actually the most cost-efficient option. If that high-value repair, likely a transmission or engine service, gives you another five or ten years of driving, you are effectively only paying around $66 per month for a reliability “reset”.

Consider Resale Value to Bring Suffolk County Car Repairs into Context

Mechanics sometimes use an industry benchmark called the 50% rule. This rule suggests that if a single repair costs more than 50% of the car’s market value, a replacement could be a better option.

Long Islanders sometimes undervalue their vehicles compared to the actual market value. Used car prices today are actually a lot higher than what people are used to. It’s worth getting a professional valuation for a trade-in and a repair estimate. Compare the numbers. If your car is worth $10,000 but the repair is less than half that, then you’re still in the zone of a repair being a better value.

Hidden Costs of Replacing Your Vehicle

When people consider repair vs. buy, they often only look at the sticker price of a new car. To make the best decision, you need to consider a few hidden costs.

• Rapid Depreciation on the new vehicle means losing around 20% of its value in the first 12 months.
• Higher Insurance on new vehicles means bigger premiums, and full coverage is mandatory for most financing options.
• Sales Tax and Fees, like registration, Suffolk County sales tax (8.75%), and dealer fees, can have you spending thousands before you even drive the new car home.
• Interest Rates for vehicle financing mean that you will pay thousands above the sticker price in the current economy.

These are sunk costs, none of which exist if you choose to repair rather than replace your vehicle.

The Best Auto Shop in Suffolk County for Cost-Efficient Car Repairs

Dee Pat’s Awsomotive is a passionate team led by Jeff Boeckel, an ASE Class A Master Technician (the highest ASE rating covering all major automotive systems). We have decades of combined experience to deliver the best independent Suffolk County auto repairs at fair prices.



From mechanical repairs to complex auto-electric repairs, our team is standing by to diagnose your vehicle and get it running efficiently. Schedule your appointment by calling us at (631) 538-4441 today.