Written by: Kevin, an expert tow truck driver and car removal specialist.
About the author: Kevin is a car removal expert with over 12 years of experience traveling across New Zealand, negotiating and buying cars of all sorts and conditions. From wrecked utes in Waikato to non-runners in BoP, Kevin has mastered the art of fair deals and quick pickups, helping Kiwis turn their unwanted vehicles into cash.
Got A Car With a Blown Engine?
Got a car with a blown engine, seized motor or serious engine problem? You can still sell it without repairing the engine first.
Cash For Car NZ buys cars with blown engines, bad engines and other major mechanical faults, including vehicles that no longer run. Tell us what has gone wrong, share the vehicle details, and we can assess what the car may be worth as-is.
Can I Sell a Car With a Blown Engine?
Yes. A blown engine does not automatically make a car worthless.
Even if the engine needs major repairs or replacement, the vehicle may still have value based on its make, model, year, overall condition, usable parts and resale or scrap value.
You do not need to repair the engine before asking for a quote.
Cash For Car NZ can consider vehicles with:
- blown engines
- seized engines
- bad or damaged engines
- blown head gaskets
- overheating problems
- unknown engine faults
- cars that no longer start or run
If the vehicle has broader damage or is completely non-running, see our guide to selling a damaged or non-running car in NZ.
Can I Trade In a Car With a Blown Engine?
Possibly. Some dealers may accept a car with a blown engine as a trade-in, but the engine fault will usually affect what they are prepared to offer.
A trade-in can make sense if you are already buying another vehicle from that dealer.
- Trade it in if you are buying another vehicle.
- Sell privately if you are prepared to find a buyer willing to take on the engine problem.
- Sell it as-is to a car buyer if you want to avoid repairing or advertising the vehicle yourself.
For a more detailed comparison, see selling your car privately vs selling to a Cash for Cars company.
How Much Is a Car With a Blown Engine Worth?
There is no fixed value for a car with a blown engine. The amount depends on the vehicle itself and what remains usable. Important factors include:
- make and model
- year
- overall condition
- type of engine fault
- whether the car still starts
- gearbox condition
- mileage
- WoF and registration status
- demand for parts
- pickup location
A newer or popular model with a failed engine may still have useful parts or resale value, while an older vehicle may be valued mainly for parts or scrap.
If you are trying to work out what the vehicle could be worth before deciding what to do, see our guide on how to price your car in New Zealand.
Should I Repair a Blown Engine Before Selling the Car?
Not necessarily. The useful comparison is between:
- 1. what the repair will cost,
- 2. what the car could be worth after the repair, and
- 3. what someone will pay for it as-is.
If the repair cost is high compared with the value of the car, putting more money into it may not make sense.
Getting a repair estimate and an as-is offer gives you something practical to compare before making the decision.
Who Buys Cars With Blown Engines?
Cars with serious engine problems may be bought by specialist car buyers, wreckers, salvage buyers or private buyers looking for a project or parts vehicle.
Cash For Car NZ buys vehicles with engine problems as-is, including cars that cannot be driven.
If your vehicle is at the end of its useful life and you are mainly looking at its parts or scrap value, see our guide on how to turn an old or scrap car into cash.
How to Sell a Car With a Blown Engine to Cash For Car NZ
The process is straightforward.
1. Tell us about the car
Share the rego or VIN number, location and what you know about the engine problem.
If a mechanic has diagnosed the fault, include that information. If you are not sure what is wrong, describe the symptoms instead.
2. Get a quote
We assess the vehicle based on its condition and the details you provide.
3. Accept the offer
If you are happy with the quote, confirm that you want to sell the vehicle.
4. Arrange pickup and payment
Pickup can be arranged depending on your location and vehicle access, so you do not need to organise transport yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my car if the engine is seized?
Yes. A seized engine is a major fault, but the rest of the vehicle may still have parts, resale or scrap value.
Can I sell a car with a bad engine but no WoF?
Cash For Car NZ can consider vehicles without a current WoF, including cars with engine problems and non-running vehicles.
What if I do not know exactly what is wrong with the engine?
You can still request a quote. Tell us what happened, whether the car starts or drives, and any symptoms or information you have from a mechanic.
Do I need to tow a car with a blown engine to you?
Usually not. If the vehicle is purchased, pickup can be arranged depending on its location and access.
Sell Your Blown-Engine Car As-Is
If the engine repair no longer stacks up, you do not have to fix the car before selling it.
Send Cash For Car NZ the vehicle details and what you know about the engine problem. We can assess the car as-is and let you know what we can offer.
