According to reports, most Americans with modest incomes cannot afford new vehicles.

If your car has developed a serious engine problem, you’re faced with two choices. You can either scrap your car and buy a new one or opt for an engine rebuild.

Is the engine rebuilder cost worthwhile? Or should you pony up for a replacement vehicle? The answer will depend on how old your car is, whether it’s worth keeping, and what your budget is.

Read on to find out when it might be worthwhile getting an engine rebuild done on an old car, as well as some important things to know around lemon car law.

An Engine Rebuild Can Be Worthwhile on an Old Car

Getting an engine rebuilder service to take apart your engine might sound like a risky move, but it can be worthwhile, depending on the overall condition of your car.

If your car is in decent condition, and is a reliable vehicle overall, getting the engine rebuilt could be significantly cheaper than buying a new car. An engine rebuild generally costs between $2,500 and $4,500, including parts and labor.

Replacing your entire car will usually cost a lot more than this—unless you score an absolute bargain on the second-hand market. If you opt to trade your car in, the trade-in value will be less because of your engine’s condition.

What’s more, if you buy a used car, you might also be opening yourself up to a whole new set of unforeseen vehicle issues. Even if you get a second-hand car inspected, running problems can still crop up in the future.

Providing a skilled engine rebuilder service does the work, a rebuilt engine can be as good as new, or even better. If you get a factory engine rebuild done, you will also receive a warranty on the motor.

However, an engine rebuild isn’t without potential drawbacks. If the engine rebuilder doesn’t know their trade well, you could still be landed with an unreliable engine.

When to Scrap the Idea of an Engine Rebuild

If your vehicle has a lot of miles on the clock, or a number of other issues, such as rust and bodywork problems—it might not be worthwhile sinking a few thousand dollars into the engine.

As a general rule of thumb, if a vehicle is less than 5 years old and worth more than $15,000, an engine rebuild is a smart move. On the other hand, if your car is only worth around $2,000 and has over 200 thousand miles on the clock, you’re probably better off putting your money towards a replacement vehicle.

You can also look into swapping your engine out for a used one, but there’s no guarantee the “new” one won’t also have hidden issues that will manifest in the future.

Make Sure You Aren’t Covered by Lemon Car Law Before You Opt for an Engine Rebuild

Are you dealing with engine issues in a new vehicle? If so, you should first make sure you’re not covered under lemon law.

Florida lemon car law allows owners of new vehicles 24 months to report reoccurring issues. If the dealership can’t get the issue sorted out after 3 attempts, then you’re probably covered by lemon car law.

Alternatively, if your car has been back at the dealership for 15 days or more within the first two years, you’re also probably dealing with a lemon, and have a right to compensation.

Do You Need a Lemon Car Lawyer?

If your car is in good condition and doesn’t have a lot of miles on the clock, an engine rebuild can make good financial sense. On the other hand, if your car isn’t worth that much anymore, plowing a few thousand into an engine rebuild might be a waste of money.

What would also be a waste of money is getting an engine rebuild done on a lemon car. Do you think you’ve been landed with a lemon?

If so, you need an experienced lemon car lawyer on your side. If you need legal assistance with a lemon car case, contact us for expert help.