Dealing with a blown engine doesn't mean you're stuck with a worthless vehicle. At Sell My Car Online, we specialize in buying cars with blown engines and severe engine damage for fair prices. Get an instant cash offer, free towing, and same-day payment no matter how severe your engine failure might be.
Understanding Blown Engine Problems
A blown engine is one of the most serious and expensive vehicle issues you can face. The term "blown engine" typically refers to catastrophic engine damage that renders the car inoperable or unsafe to drive. This damage can occur for multiple reasons:
- Thrown rod - When connecting rods break through the engine block
- Seized engine - Complete engine lockup due to lack of lubrication
- Cracked block - Fractures in the engine block often from overheating
- Broken timing belt/chain - Causing valves and pistons to collide
- Head gasket failure - Leading to coolant/oil mixing and overheating
- Hydrolocked engine - Water entering cylinders causing bent rods
The cost to repair or replace a blown engine typically ranges from $3,000 to $7,000+ depending on your vehicle's make, model, and the specific type of engine damage. For many vehicles, especially older or high-mileage cars, this repair cost often exceeds the car's actual value.
Options for Selling a Car With a Blown Engine
When faced with catastrophic engine failure, you have several options for selling your damaged car. Each has distinct advantages and drawbacks:
Selling Privately
Selling a car with blown engine issues privately is challenging. Most private buyers want vehicles that run properly, and those interested in cars with engine damage are typically looking for steep discounts. The private selling process for vehicles with blown engines often involves:
- Creating detailed listings explaining the exact engine problems
- Fielding numerous questions about the engine's condition
- Entertaining extremely low offers from buyers looking for project cars
- Arranging towing for potential buyers to inspect the vehicle
- Extended waiting periods of weeks or months to find the right buyer
While private sales might theoretically yield slightly higher prices, the time, effort, and uncertainty rarely justify this approach for most sellers.
Trading at a Dealership
Most dealerships are reluctant to accept cars with blown engines as trade-ins. Those that do typically offer minimal value—often just scrap prices—since they view these vehicles as liabilities rather than assets. Dealerships factor in the complete cost of engine replacement plus their profit margin, resulting in offers that rarely reflect your car's true value.
Selling to Junk or Salvage Yards
Traditional junkyards typically pay based primarily on a vehicle's weight as scrap metal, with minimal consideration for potentially valuable parts. This approach often undervalues your car, particularly if it's a newer model or has valuable components beyond the damaged engine.
Selling to Specialized Car Buyers
Companies like Sell My Car Online specialize in purchasing vehicles with serious mechanical issues, including blown engines. This approach offers several advantages:
- Fair offers based on the vehicle's overall value, not just scrap price
- Quick, convenient selling process (typically 24-48 hours)
- Free towing and pickup services
- No haggling or dealing with unreliable buyers
- Simple paperwork and title transfer
Why Cars With Blown Engines Still Have Value
Even with catastrophic engine damage, your vehicle retains significant value for several reasons:
Valuable Parts
Most vehicle systems remain completely unaffected by engine failure. Transmissions, electronics, body panels, interior components, and accessories often retain full value and can be salvaged.
Repairable Engines
Some "blown" engines can be rebuilt or repaired by specialized shops at costs much lower than typical consumer repair quotes, making them valuable to professionals with the right skills.
Restoration Potential
Many vehicles, particularly popular or rare models, are sought after by restoration enthusiasts who have the resources and skills to replace engines economically.
Metal and Material Value
Beyond parts, the raw materials in your vehicle—steel, aluminum, copper, platinum (in catalytic converters), and more—have substantial recycling value.
At Sell My Car Online, our extensive buyer network includes specialists who understand this value and can offer prices that reflect it, rather than simply treating your car as scrap.
How Much Is a Car With a Blown Engine Worth?
The value of a vehicle with a blown engine depends on several factors including make, model, year, overall condition, and the specific type of engine damage. While catastrophic engine failure significantly reduces value, many vehicles still command respectable prices due to their salvageable parts, body condition, and market demand. Here's what you can expect:
| Vehicle Type & Condition | Expected Price Range |
|---|---|
| Economy Cars with Blown Engine (5+ years old) | $300-$1,500 |
| Mid-Range Sedans/Crossovers with Blown Engine (3-8 years old) | $800-$3,000 |
| Popular SUVs/Trucks with Blown Engine | $1,500-$5,500 |
| Luxury Vehicles with Blown Engine (Mercedes, BMW, Lexus) | $1,200-$6,000 |
| Sports Cars with Blown Engine | $1,500-$7,000 |
| Recent Models with Low Mileage (0-3 years old) | $3,000-$10,000+ |
| Classic/Collectible Cars with Engine Failure | $2,000-$15,000+ |
How to Sell Your Car With a Blown Engine to Us
Our process makes selling a vehicle with engine failure simple and straightforward:
- Request a Free QuoteEnter your vehicle details and describe your engine problems honestly. Our system will generate an instant cash offer based on your specific situation.
- Accept Your OfferReview our guaranteed offer, valid for 7 days. If you're satisfied, accept it and schedule a convenient pickup time.
- Free Towing ServiceOur team will come to your location—home, repair shop, or storage facility—to collect your vehicle. We handle all the towing logistics at no cost to you.
- Get Paid ImmediatelyOnce our driver confirms your vehicle's condition matches your description, you'll receive immediate payment via your preferred method—cash, check, or bank transfer.
The entire process typically takes just 24-48 hours from quote acceptance to payment, with no hidden fees or last-minute price reductions.
Common Types of Engine Damage We Buy
We purchase vehicles with all types of engine failure and damage, including:
Thrown Rod/Connecting Rod Failure
When connecting rods break through the engine block, often causing catastrophic damage. Common in vehicles that have overheated or run without sufficient oil.
Seized Engine
Complete engine lockup due to internal component failure, usually caused by inadequate lubrication or coolant issues. The engine won't turn over and is effectively "frozen."
Cracked Engine Block
Fractures in the main engine block usually resulting from severe overheating, freezing, or physical impact. Often considered among the most serious types of engine damage.
Broken Timing Belt/Chain
When timing components fail, valves and pistons can collide in "interference" engines, causing extensive internal engine damage that's prohibitively expensive to repair.
Head Gasket Failure
While sometimes repairable, severe head gasket failures can lead to warped cylinder heads or block damage when not addressed promptly.
Hydrolock Damage
Water or fluid entering cylinders can cause bent connecting rods, damaged pistons, and other serious internal damage when the engine attempts to compress incompressible liquid.
No matter what type of engine damage your vehicle has experienced, we're interested in making you a fair offer based on its overall condition and value.
Recent Cars With Blown Engines We've Purchased
Here are examples of vehicles with severe engine problems we've recently bought from satisfied customers:
- 2013 Toyota Camry - Thrown rod damage - Paid $2,800
- 2016 Honda Civic - Seized engine from oil starvation - Paid $3,950
- 2010 Ford F-150 - Cracked engine block - Paid $3,200
- 2014 Chevrolet Malibu - Catastrophic timing chain failure - Paid $2,650
- 2011 BMW 328i - Multiple engine issues after overheating - Paid $3,100
- 2017 Hyundai Sonata - Engine failure from manufacturing defect - Paid $4,200
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Cars With Blown Engines
How much is my car with a blown engine worth?
Values for cars with blown engines typically range from 20-60% of their running value, depending on the vehicle's make, model, year, overall condition, and demand. Newer vehicles with otherwise good condition often command higher percentages of their functional value. For a precise valuation of your specific situation, use our online quote tool.
Is it worth fixing a blown engine before selling?
In most cases, no. Engine replacements or major repairs rarely return their full cost in resale value. For example, spending $4,500 on a replacement engine might only increase your car's sale price by $2,000-3,000. Unless your vehicle is particularly valuable or collectible, selling as-is is usually the most economical choice.
Can I sell a car with a blown engine if I still owe money on it?
Yes. We regularly purchase vehicles with outstanding loans, including those with engine failure. Our team coordinates directly with your lender to pay off the loan balance and provide you with any remaining equity. The process is seamless and handled entirely by our staff.
Do I need to know exactly what's wrong with my engine?
While it's helpful to provide details about your engine's condition, you don't need a professional diagnosis to get an offer. If you know symptoms or have a mechanic's assessment, include this information for the most accurate quote. Our buyers are experienced in evaluating vehicles with all types of engine problems.
How quickly can you buy my car with engine failure?
Our process typically takes 24-48 hours from quote acceptance to completed purchase and payment. In many areas, we offer same-day pickup if you accept our offer early in the day. The exact timeline depends on your location and towing availability.
What paperwork do I need to sell my car with a blown engine?
You'll need your vehicle's title (signed and ready to transfer) and a valid photo ID. If your car has a salvage or rebuilt title, we'll need that documentation as well. Missing your title? We can often help with replacement paperwork or alternative documentation in many states.
Will you buy a car with a blown engine if it has other damage?
Absolutely. We purchase vehicles with multiple issues, including combination problems like blown engines plus collision damage, interior problems, or other mechanical failures. Our valuation system considers your vehicle's overall condition to provide a fair offer.
Is selling better than trying to claim insurance for engine failure?
Most standard auto insurance policies don't cover engine failures unless they result directly from a covered incident like an accident or flood. Mechanical breakdown coverage is rare and typically limited. For most engine failures, selling the vehicle is the more practical solution compared to insurance claims.
Get Your Cash Offer for a Car With Blown Engine Now
Don't let your vehicle with engine damage continue to lose value sitting in your driveway or at a repair shop. Sell My Car Online offers a fast, fair way to turn your problem vehicle into cash:
- No cost to you - free quotes, free towing
- No repairs needed - we buy vehicles exactly as they are
- No haggling or time-wasters - just a straightforward process
- No waiting - most transactions complete within 24-48 hours
Our offers are valid for 7 days, giving you time to consider your options with no pressure or obligation. When you're ready to sell, we'll handle everything from paperwork to pickup, making the process as easy as possible during a stressful vehicle breakdown.