Financing is a great way to get a new, reliable car without shelling out tens of thousands of pounds upfront. 

However, one slight issue may occur when the car gets damaged or 

. One of the worst ways this can happen is a blown engine. If this happens, staying calm, assessing the damage, and planning your next steps is critical. 

In this article, we’ll provide some help and advice on what to do if your engine blows while your 

. No more Googling ‘car on finance engine blown.’ You’ll find everything you need to know here. 

Your rights when a motor blows up on a financed car

You are permitted to give back a financed car,

, as long as you’ve paid over 50% of the total finance cost. 

Unfortunately, in order to give back a car early, it will need to be in reasonable condition. If the finance company takes back a car and the engine is damaged, they are very likely to seek costs from you. 

So, if you’re thinking ‘my engine blew and I still owe money,’ jump to your three main options below. 

What Next? 3 options for a financed car engine failure

If you have a blown engine on a financed car, there are a few different ways to minimise the loss if your engine has blown, but you can’t afford to repair it outright. You can: 

Let’s go over these options in more detail below. 

Before deciding on the options below, ensure you’re cool, calm, and collected. A financed car with a blown engine is stressful, and it’s vital not to make rash decisions to protect your finances. 

Take a minute to assess the situation. Call a friend or family member for a second opinion if needed. 

 may be the first thing that comes to mind, there are far superior options available, especially with interest rates at the current levels. 

Car repair loans with 0% interest are much friendlier to your finances. They allow you to address the problem without dropping your credit score. 

Bumper offers interest-free monthly car repair loans

. The money goes straight to the garage, and you can split the cost into multiple manageable payments, which can be a big help if you need to repair your car. 

2. Sell the car to a mechanic or for parts 

If your car on finance needs a new engine, there are loads of companies and individuals that look for broken cars to buy. They have the space and know-how to fix them. If the car is not worth fixing, they may dismantle it and sell it for parts. 

This is often a more feasible option if your car is not very old, but it would still be worth a bit if it was in working condition. 

Various online marketplaces allow bidding. This method would probably yield the highest price. Alternatively, some companies buy cars in any condition — including engine failure on a financed car. These are often less hassle as they deal with the paperwork and admin for you. 

If you have the space, time, and knowledge to safely dismantle your car, you could make more than you would sell by stripping it down and selling the bits. 

Be warned, though, that this is not an easy or quick process, and you have to be prepared to arrange for the sale of parts and remove them yourself. Unless the car is a particularly rare example, you may be left with half a vehicle on your drive for months! 

If your car's finance engine has blown, the last thing most want to do is strip their car. So, consider this option carefully and ensure you have the time and resources before starting. 

 has any problems, you should contact your lender immediately. They need to know about the car’s value changes and your ability to make payments. Often, they have strategies and procedures to help in these situations. 

Can I trade in a financed car with a blown engine?

It’s rarely possible to trade in a financed car with a blown engine. But it’s not impossible. Sometimes, dealerships and lenders will accept trades. However, they’ll first assess the car’s value and damage. 

Note that a trade may not cover your outstanding finance balance. In this case, you’ll have to pay the outstanding difference. 

You’ll also have to be prepared for a lower trade-in value since the engine failure will have devalued your car. 

To determine whether your car is worth fixing, it's necessary to check how much the car would be worth if it was in working order. You need to get multiple quotes to fix the car's issue. 

Another consideration is how much it would cost to replace the car with one that is like for like, as this may be more than what your vehicle could be worth due to availability and market trends. 

Financially it's probably worth fixing a blown engine as long as the parts are available from a breaker or dismantler, as a new engine will often be more expensive than the value of the car. 

How to get insurance to cover a blown motor

Whether or not your insurance covers a blown motor depends on your personal policy. Before you contact your 

, review your policy to see if it covers mechanical breakdown coverage. If this isn’t included, you won’t be able to claim for the problem. 

However, some insurers allow add-on policies for these situations. Contact your provider for more information, but make sure you have your policy details on hand before calling. 

Like any repair, the cost will vary greatly depending on the car's age, make and model, and where you are located in the country. 

See the list of prices below to give you an idea of how much it’s likely to cost: 

Cost to replace an engine with a new one: 

Cost to replace an engine with a secondhand or refurbished one: 

How much can you get for a car with a blown engine? 

Wondering what to do with a car with a blown engine? 

As mentioned, there are a few options for selling a car with a blown engine, but how much you can get will depend on the car's condition, age, and desirability. 

Generally speaking, most people who will fix your broken car to sell themselves will want to pay the sale price of an equivalent working car, minus the cost of replacing the engine, the above prices would be a useful indicator of this. 

If your car is in good condition and was initially expensive, you will have a much better chance of getting a premium price for your broken car. 

What option is best when my engine is blown?

Because everyone's situation is different, it’s advisable to gather all the information you need before you make an informed decision. So we advise you to do the following: 

Car on finance engine blown - The takeaway

Dealing with a financed car and a blown engine is challenging, but several solutions are at your fingertips. From assessing the damage and repairing parts to working with your lender and insurance, you can find an answer that meets your needs. Ensure you are honest and communicate clearly throughout the process for the best results and a positive outcome. 

Split the cost of repairs into interest-free monthly repayments and 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Car Engine Blown While On Finance

¿Qué hacer si el motor de tu coche financiado se funde?

Whether you're rushing to work or on the school run, noticing a dent in your car door is never a fun experience. 

Perhaps you're wondering whether the door dent is worth fixing. The answer isn't always so simple. Typically, fixing a car door dent depends on several factors, including the size, location, and overall condition of your vehicle. 

In this article, we'll discuss the potential costs of repairing doors, whether they are worth fixing, and the general options available. Scroll down and get in the know now. 

Your budget and your car's current condition and age

Depending on the severity, it might be worthwhile to have the damage repaired, especially if the repair costs are fair and the dent is not too big or has caused issues with expensive parts such as 

On the other hand, it might be more economical to just live with the dent. Or replace the car door totally if the dent is too big or the cost of the repair is too high. 

How much does it cost to fix a dented car door?

A dented car door can be repaired for a variety of prices. 

You might be able to get a little ding fixed for as low as £50. However, the price could be significantly greater if the dent is large or situated in a challenging place. 

Repairing a dent can sometimes cost nearly as much as replacing the entire car door. This is especially true if the dent is significant or if other damage, such as scratches or dents, is present. 

But more about the cost of a car door dent below. 

On average, the cost to remove a car dent per panel is

The price to remove a car dent will vary depending on a number of variables. These include: 

Car dents come in all shapes and sizes, as do their repair costs. Here’s a list of ballpark average costs to repair various dents: 

Split the cost of repairs into monthly payments at 1000s of trusted garages and dealerships with 

Does a dent decrease your car’s value? 

This can have a substantial effect on the resale value. A 

 repair firm can estimate the cost of repairs and the amount that each damage reduces the car's worth. 

Due to how they affect a car's overall appeal to potential purchasers, dents can reduce its value and cause sellers to undervalue it when they sell it. Small dings and dents can mount up, significantly impacting the car's evaluation rating. 

Therefore, if dents result in a large amount of depreciation, it is crucial to think about having them rectified before trying to sell your car. 

Difference between dent repairs and paintless dent repairs 

There are two main options for repairing dents in car doors:

. Understanding the difference between these two options can help you make an informed decision about how to repair your car door. 

Traditional dent repair involves sanding, filling, and repainting the affected area. 

This method is typically more time-consuming and costly than paintless dent repair. But, it may be necessary if the dent is too large or the paint has been damaged. 

The cost of traditional dent repair will depend on the size and location of the dent, as well as the cost of labour and materials. 

On the other hand, paintless dent repair (PDR) is a less invasive option. 

This involves using specialised tools to massage the dent out of the car door without damaging the paint. It is generally less expensive than traditional dent repair, and it can often be completed in a shorter amount of time. 

The cost of paintless dent repair will depend on the size and location of the dent and the skill level of the technician performing the repair. 

PDR generally targets small areas of damage, allowing your car to return to its original dent-free state without needing significant repairs or part replacements. Traditional dent repair may be necessary if the dent is too large or if the paint has been damaged. Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on the dent's size and location, budget, and priorities.

Starting prices for paintless dent removal are about 

Before beginning, your professional dent removal specialist will be able to provide you with a price so you are informed of the charges. 

The cost of paintless dent removal per panel will increase if your car has multiple damaged locations. You should expect to pay an additional 

Factors that affect paintless dent repair costs: 

How much does paintless dent removal cost for hail damage? 

initial charge of about £45 plus roughly £20 for any further dents 

in the same panel that could have occurred. The final price is affected by the state, type of car, dent's location, size, and 

. So, you can drive home on the same day. 

However, note that significant dents or dents in awkward locations will take longer to repair. Small dings and scratches only take a couple of hours. 

Does a dented car door need to be replaced? 

Your dented car door doesn’t need to be replaced if the dents are reasonably small and can be fixed using either traditional or paintless dent repair methods. You may even be able to do it yourself with a dent puller and a hairdryer. 

It is advised to take the dent to an auto body repair company if it is too big for a DIY fix. 

A qualified technician can reverse smaller dents in the shop using suction cups and a slide hammer. If the damage is more extensive and has compromised the vehicle's structure, a full door replacement may be advised. 

Cosmetic car insurance packages cover car dents and dings. These can be added to your existing car 

 policy or taken out as separate packages. Some drivers opt for these to fix cosmetic damage without affecting their no-claims bonus. 

If you don’t have insurance for superficial damage, you’ll have to pay the repairs out of your own pocket. 

Check your existing policy details or reach out to your insurance provider if you’re unsure whether you’re covered. 

Car door dents aren’t any driver’s favourite subject, but they’re usually harmless and can be an easy fix. In some cases, you don’t even need to rush to get them fixed, so you can rest assured that you won’t have an expensive bill in your immediate future. 

However, if you need to fix a car door dent, 

 can help remove the strain off your wallet. 

Split the cost of repairs into interest-free monthly instalments at thousands of service partners across the country with 

Price Guide For Repairing Dents In Doors

Ausbeulen von Dellen in Autotüren – eine Preisübersicht

Engines produce significant amounts of heat through normal operation. If the cooling system is not performing effectively, and the engine is allowed to overheat, this can cause serious problems for the engine. We’ll review the common causes, problems and solutions to engine overheating. 

Scroll down if you're in a rush and need to find out exactly what to do NOW if your car is overheating.

Engines have a specific temperature range they should operate within. This is regulated by the cooling system via a thermostat. Its purpose is to maintain an acceptable temperature range regardless of engine load or external conditions. 

An engine that is running too hot - the needle is in the red range of the gauge - or one that's temperature is increasing steadily with normal driving can be considered to be ‘overheating’.

If the engine heats up beyond safe temperatures, a warning light will come on.

All modern cars will have some form of gauge that indicates the engine's temperature, usually a dedicated dial that will start at cold and move to normal as the engine warms up. 

It’s good practice to keep an eye on this dial whenever driving, especially if you notice the gauge at anything more than normal temps. 

Some situations like towing a heavy trailer, or idling in traffic on a very hot day may affect the temperature slightly, but those situations should be very rare in the UK’s climate. 

What if my car doesn't have a temperature gauge? 

Some cars don’t make space for a dedicated temperature gauge, either due to a design choice by the manufacturer or a cost-cutting measure. 

Don’t worry though, almost all cars will have at least a low and high-temperature warning light - check your owner’s manual for more information. 

You’ll see this light when the car is first turned on, usually presenting as a blue light, to indicate the engine is cold - this should turn off after 10-20 minutes of driving. 

Should you notice your temperature gauge is sitting higher than normal, or is rising with normal driving conditions, your engine may be overheating. 

1. You should park as soon as it’s safe to do so and turn off the engine. 

2. If the gauge is only slightly above the middle, leave the engine to cool down and continue your drive after 30-40 minutes. Be prepared to stop again should the engine continue to overheat. 

3. If the engine has overheated to the red zone of the gauge, or you have not noticed it increasing until this point, stop the car as soon as possible. 

4. Call for assistance immediately from your breakdown cover

5. It is not recommended to continue driving, as the heat will only increase until the engine suffers fatal damage. 

The cooling system on any engine is designed to remove as much heat as possible from the engine and components connected to it, the first step to diagnosing an overheating engine is to check the coolant system for faults. 

An ECU scanning tool could help identify if any of the temperature sensors are reading higher than normal levels, this will help pinpoint where the issue is. Thermostats should be tested to ensure they are opening and allowing the radiator to work effectively. 

There are a few different reasons your car may be overheating, most stem from a fault with the cooling system. Two reasons for overheating engines could be no coolant or a blocked radiator. 

Engine cooling systems use a liquid coolant to remove excess heat from the engine, by transferring it into the air via a radiator. If the coolant system has no coolant left due to a leak or natural evaporation, the cooling system will not work. 

If you don’t know what coolant to use, check our guide 

The coolant system uses a radiator to remove heat from the engine. They are similar to a household radiator (except they work in the opposite way) in that they have thin ‘fins’ of metal for higher surface area. 

These fins can become blocked with dirt and debris from an ageing cooling system and create blockages in the system as a whole. Once the coolant is blocked from flowing around the system, heat can no longer be removed and the engine will gradually overheat. 

How much does it cost to fix an overheating engine 

Noticing the problem early is key. If the engine is overheating due to a cooling issue such as a leaking radiator, blocked hoses or failing water pump, and the engine hasn’t been driven excessively whilst overheating, typical repair costs for an overheating engine should be between under £300-400. Noticing the problem early is key. 

However, if the engine is exhibiting the signs detailed above, particularly loss of power, then your engine may need serious repair work. In some cases, this will involve a new cylinder head, but at the least, a new head gasket is probably required. 

 but a new cylinder head could easily run between £1000-1500 to fix. 

Don't face a hefty repair bill alone. Split the cost into interest-free monthly instalments at thousands of partner garages nationwide.

How to tell if my engine has been damaged by overheating 

Engines are manufactured to precise tolerances, overheating can easily cause the metal components to warp or crack under the mechanical and temperature stresses.

If this happens there are often clear signs of overheating these include smoke from the engine bay, loss of power, and issues starting the engine. 

If you experience any of these problems after your engine has been driven whilst overheating there’s a good chance your engine is seriously damaged.

If you have an overheating engine and are unsure what to do, it may be time to speak to an expert. With 

, you can split the cost of service and repairs into interest-free monthly payments at 1000s of dependable garages and dealerships. 

What To Do If Your Engine Is Overheating

 need a specific fluid or oil to ensure they operate correctly. But did you know you need to do a transmission oil change every now and then? This is your sign to book a gearbox service. 

If you’re here, you’re likely wondering how much is a transmission fluid change. Keep reading because this blog covers typical gearbox service costs, why cars need transmission fluid, how often you need to change it, and more FAQs you were too afraid to ask. 

Ready? Let’s get into it. Scroll to learn more about transmission fluid changes. 

cost of a transmission fluid change is between £200

The cost of draining and changing transmission fluid comes down to various factors, such as location and car make. Knowing your car’s factors can help you estimate the cost. But more on this below. 

Worried about the cost of car repairs? Bumper is changing the world of 

car repair finance with 0% interest-free monthly installments

. Find a service partner to get started. 

Average costs for transmission fluid changes by car make

Different car models have different requirements when it comes to transmission fluid changes. 

In this section, we'll provide a breakdown of the average cost for transmission fluid changes by car make in the UK to help you find an accurate estimate. 

Transmission fluid acts as a lubricant for the gears 

and other components within the transmission system, preventing them from grinding against each other and causing damage. 

As a car owner, you may already be aware of the importance of regularly

, but many people forget that their car's transmission system also requires routine maintenance. 

This is where transmission fluid comes into play. 

Over time, this fluid can start to break down due to heat and pressure, leading to reduced performance or even complete failure of your car's transmission system. That's why it's important to have your transmission fluid changed regularly by a professional mechanic. 

When people discuss changing transmission fluid, it can get confusing in the UK where many people drive manual cars and they need a different kind of service and fluid, a gearbox oil change. 

in your automatic transmission or manual gearbox, then you can seriously damage your car and could need to

When it comes to changing the transmission fluid in your vehicle, there are two main methods that can be used: a 

It's important to understand the difference between these methods to make an informed decision about which is best for your specific needs. 

A flush involves using a machine to pump new fluid into the transmission while simultaneously pumping out the old fluid. 

This method is often faster and more thorough than a simple change because it removes the old fluid from the system. 

However, some mechanics caution against flushing as it may dislodge debris or particles that could cause problems later. 

On the other hand, a simple change involves draining out some of the old fluid and replacing it with fresh liquid. 

This method is generally less expensive than a flush, but it doesn't completely remove all of the old fluid from your transmission. 

While this might not be as thorough as a flush, many experts recommend doing regular changes rather than less frequent flushes. 

Ultimately, both methods have pros and cons depending on what you're looking for in terms of cost and 

 for your vehicle's transmission system. 

If you're unsure which option is right for you, consult with an experienced mechanic who can help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs and budget constraints. 

How many years does transmission fluid last?

 your transmission fluid every 60,000 to 100,000 miles

Like any other fluid or part, transmission fluid has its lifespan and needs to be changed periodically. It really depends on your car’s make and model, as not all cars have the same cooling capacity or oil needs. 

Do driving conditions impact transmission fluid lifespan?

Yes, driving conditions can have a significant impact on how long transmission fluid lasts. 

If you drive your car regularly in stop-and-go traffic or heavy loads often, your transmission will work harder than usual. 

This increased workload means that the transmission's temperature will rise more frequently than if you were driving under normal circumstances. As a result, this causes wear and tear on the components inside the gearbox, leading to the degradation of internal parts and lubrication efficiency over time. 

Do all vehicles need to change transmission fluid at the same time?

No. The type of vehicle also plays a crucial role in determining how long transmission fluid lasts. 

Some cars may require more frequent changes due to their design specifications or unique performance requirements. 

For example, sports cars with high-performance engines generally need more regular maintenance intervals for their transmissions than those with standard engines. When in doubt, contact your local garage or manufacturer. 

What are the signs that you need a transmission fluid change?

If you notice any of the following symptoms, it may be time for a transmission fluid change: 

Ignoring these signs can lead to more serious problems down the line, such as damaged gears and even complete transmission failure. That's why it's crucial to change your transmission fluid when you notice any of these warning signals. 

Does your car run better after a transmission fluid change?

Yes, by changing your transmission fluid regularly, you can improve your car's performance in three main ways. 

Firstly, the fresh fluid helps to reduce friction between components within the transmission system, resulting in smoother shifting and more efficient power transfer to the wheels. 

Additionally, properly functioning transmission fluid can help prevent 

 by dissipating heat generated during operation. 

This helps maintain optimal operating temperatures, which leads to increased fuel efficiency and reduced wear on internal components over time. 

Lastly, regular transmission fluid changes also help prolong the lifespan of critical components such as gears and bearings by reducing wear caused by contamination or lack of proper lubrication. 

Will changing the transmission fluid stop slipping?

Transmission slipping is a problem that plagues many car owners, and many factors can cause it. 

One common culprit is low transmission fluid levels. When there isn't enough fluid in the system, the gears may not be lubricated properly, causing them to slip or grind together rather than engage smoothly. 

Many drivers wonder if changing their transmission fluid can fix this issue. The answer is:

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

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