Free Canadian worksheet

Repair this car - or replace it?

Compare both paths over the same number of years. Use your repair quote, realistic future costs, financing cost, and estimated vehicle values - not only the replacement car's monthly payment.

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Comparison period

Look ahead 3 years

Years

Keep and repair

Repair quote now *$The current quote or invoice total.Estimated annual repairs and maintenance $Use a conservative average after this repair.Estimated value of this car in 3 years $Test a lower value if you are unsure.

Buy a replacement

Current car sale or trade value *$Use the amount you could realistically receive now.Replacement's all-in purchase price *$Include taxes and unavoidable fees.Financing interest and fees over 3 years $Do not enter the amount borrowed.Estimated annual repairs and maintenance $Annual insurance and fuel difference $Use a negative amount for expected annual savings.Estimated replacement value in 3 years $

Your comparison

Enter the three required amounts

Add the repair quote, current vehicle value, and replacement's all-in price. The remaining fields improve the comparison and can be left at zero.

Before relying on the cheaper path

- Confirm the diagnosis and whether the repair addresses the underlying problem.
- Ask what parts, labour, warranty, and additional work are included in the quote.
- Consider safety, reliability, downtime, insurance, and whether your needs may change.
- Compare total financing cost and loan length, not only the monthly payment.
- Test lower future vehicle values and higher repair costs to see how fragile the result is.

Start with the document

Make sure the repair quote is clear first

QuoteChecker can review the readable charges, available price context, missing details, and questions worth asking before you put the repair amount into this comparison.

Review my repair quote

How the comparison works

The keep path adds today's repair to your estimated annual repairs and maintenance, then subtracts the current car's estimated value at the end of the period.

The replacement path adds the all-in purchase price, financing cost, future maintenance, and any insurance or fuel difference. It subtracts what you receive for the current car and the replacement's estimated value at the end.

CAA's driving-cost calculator treats maintenance and depreciation as distinct ownership costs. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada also advises comparing total financing cost rather than focusing only on a payment. Use their detailed tools when you need a vehicle-specific ownership or loan calculation.

CAA Driving Costs Calculator FCAC car-financing guidance

Common questions

Does the lower projected cost tell me whether I should repair or replace my car?

No. The result compares only the amounts you enter. Safety, diagnosis quality, reliability, downtime, financing risk, and how well each vehicle fits your needs can matter more than a small cost difference.

Why does the calculator include future vehicle values?

A vehicle is still an asset at the end of the comparison period. Subtracting an estimated future value makes the two ownership paths more comparable, but that value is uncertain and should be tested with conservative estimates.

What should I include in replacement financing cost?

Enter the interest and financing fees you expect to pay during the comparison period, not the amount borrowed. Review the lender's disclosure and total cost rather than relying only on a monthly payment.