Get the finance you need to get your car back on the road.
Until it breaks down, it’s easy to forget just how much you rely on your car to get around. But when your vehicle is off the road and in need of repair, even the simplest of everyday tasks can become a major hassle.
Of course, it’s not always easy to find the money you need to get your car going again – which is where car repair loans can help. Let’s take a look at the car repair finance options available and how you can decide which one is right for you.
How much do car repairs cost?
There’s no such thing as an average car repair cost. Expenses vary greatly based on the make and model of vehicle, what goes wrong, and where you choose to get it fixed. And even though automotive technology has come a long way in the past few decades, when cars break down they can be very expensive to repair.
Common issues you may need to get repaired include:
- Smash repairs. Unless you’re covered by comprehensive car insurance, the cost of repairing anything from relatively minor dings through to major body damage can be surprisingly high. To give you an idea of the potential costs, back in 2012 the Insurance Australia Group (IAG) Research Centre compared repair costs for popular small cars involved in a simulated 10km/h collision. The Toyota Yaris was the most expensive to repair, with the combined cost of repairing the front and rear damage coming in at $13,440, or more than 70% of its original purchase price. Even the cheapest car on the list, the Holden Barina, still cost $2,574 to repair.
- Cylinder problems. A broken cylinder is a common mechanical issue for older cars that perhaps haven’t received the love and attention they need in recent years. Regular servicing is the best way to prevent this occurring, but if it happens to you the repair bill could be $8,000 or more.
- Engine. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that a mechanically sound engine is crucial to your car running smoothly. Repair costs vary greatly depending on the engine issues plaguing your vehicle, but if you suffer a blown engine and it needs to be replaced, the bill could be up to $4,000.
- Transmission. The transmission is crucial to the effective operation of your car, so it can lead to significant mechanical problems if something goes wrong with your vehicle’s transmission. It can also hurt your wallet, with repairs generally costing between $1,000 and $2,000 and a full replacement as much as $5,000.
- Head gasket. The head gasket is another critical part of the inner workings of your car, sealing off the cylinder head from the engine block and preventing oil and coolant leaks. A blown head gasket can cause a whole lot of damage to your car – potentially $2,000 worth of damage, in fact.
These are just a few mechanical and body issues that could affect your car and the older your vehicle is, the greater the chance of something going wrong. Add in extra costs like roadside assistance, towing expenses and the cost of ordering spare parts from interstate or overseas, and you could be looking at a sizable car repair bill you simply cannot afford.
Sunshine Short Term Offer
Sunshine Short Term Offer
- Bad credit applicants considered
- Fast approval service
- Borrow up to $2,000
100% confidential application
Sunshine Short Term Offer
A short term loan with a fast and easy application available to those with good or bad credit. You can apply today and get approved for up to $2,000.
- Loan amount: $2,000
- Loan term: 9-15 weeks
- Turnaround time: 30 minutes (conditions apply)
- Fees: 20% of borrowed amount + 4% of borrowed amount each month
- Income requirement: 50%+ of income cannot be from Centrelink
- Bad credit borrowers OK
- Quick and easy Approval
- No Credit Checks
Short term loans you can use for car repair
Car repair loan options
Are you facing an expensive car repair bill to get your car back on the road? If so, there are several finance options available to provide the funds you need to cover your costs. Check out the car repair loan options in the table below:
| Loan type | Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secured personal loan | Line of credit loan guaranteed with an asset, for example your car. Loans of up to $100,000 and terms of up to 7 years available |
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| Unsecured personal loan | Borrow the money you need to pay for car repairs without having to offer any asset as collateral. Loan amounts of up to $50,000 and terms of up to 7 years available. |
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| Short-term loan | Sometimes referred to as a payday loan. Provides instant access to money to see you through until your next payday. Loans of up to $5,000 are available with short loan terms ranging from 16 days up to 2 years. |
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| Credit card | Can be worth considering if the card issuer offers an introductory interest-free period and you can realistically afford to pay off the repair bill within that promotional timeframe. Amount available varies depending on your card limit. |
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How to compare car repair loans
Make sure you consider the following features when weighing up your car repair loan options:
- Interest rate. Compare interest rates across a variety of loans to work out how much you’ll be paying in interest charges. Remember also that car repair loans are available with fixed or variable interest rates, so make sure to compare apples with apples.
- Fees. From application and establishment fees to ongoing fees and missed payment fees, make sure you’re aware of all the additional charges that may apply. Consider fees alongside the interest rate to calculate the total cost of car repair loans.
- Repayment schedule. How much will your regular repayment amount be and how often will you have to make those repayments? Is this figure something you can regularly afford to pay?
- Repayment flexibility. Can you make additional payments to pay off your debt ahead of schedule? This feature could save you plenty in interest charges if you come into some extra can afford to repay the loan sooner than expected.
Repairing vs replacing
If you’re stuck with a hefty car repair bill totalling several thousands of dollars, it might be time to look at alternative options. In some cases, you may find you’re better off simply upgrading to a new vehicle rather than forking out a whole lot of cash to repair your current set of wheels.
If buying a new or used vehicle could be a better solution for you and you need finance, start comparing car loans at finder.com.au today.
Picture: Shutterstock
