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The bottom line: Your car has a blown engine, and you’re considering selling it. Rather than taking it to a junkyard that might charge for pickup, there are better options available.
Private sales typically yield the highest return but demand a lot of time. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist can help you get the most money if you’re willing to deal with buyers yourself.
After testing all major car buying companies, we identified Peddle, CarBrain, and CashForCars as the most reliable choices for vehicles with mechanical issues. All three provide immediate online quotes and free pickup.
When we tested all three services using identical vehicle information, CarBrain delivered the highest offer.
Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
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Best Place to Sell a Car with a Blown Engine
Best for Older Cars
Instant offer in 2 minutes
Free pickup as soon as today
Get paid on the spot
Best for Convenience
A+ BBB rating
Nationwide service
Pays Cash
Best for Damaged Cars
Copart company
Nationwide service
Pays Cash
The process for all companies is similar. You fill out the quote form online, provide details about your vehicle, and they give you an offer.
Some companies may provide slightly better offers for the same vehicle specifications, so getting quotes from each company is worth it.
If you accept the offer, they will arrange a vehicle pickup. Payment is usually cash or check, depending on the tow company.
Describing your vehicle accurately is important to ensure the offers you receive online match what you’ll get at pickup.
Here’s how the quotes compared when we submitted information for a 2010 Toyota RAV4 with 150,000 miles and a blown engine:
1. Peddle
Peddle made the quote process exceptionally simple. Their online form took less than 2 minutes to complete, and we received an instant offer of $1,220 for our 2010 Toyota RAV4 with a blown engine.
The quote had a section where we had to answer whether we could start and drive the Toyota. That was the only question that indicated if the engine was blown. Select “No, it doesn’t start (or requires a jump-start)”.
Ready to Sell Your Car?
Get an instant quote and enjoy free car pickup with Peddle. Quick, easy, and hassle-free.
2. CarBrain
CarBrain specializes in damaged vehicles, and their quote process reflected this expertise. Their offer came in at $1,355 for our RAV4.
The online form took slightly longer to complete, asking more detailed questions about the car’s condition. Initially, they asked if you could drive the car, and then they asked what repairs were needed.
Ready to Sell Your Car?
Skip the hassle of selling your car. CarBrain gives you a fast online offer and picks it up for free.
3. CashForCars
CashForCars provided an initial offer of $1,187 through their online system.
Their quote form was straightforward, with one question specifically addressing a blown engine: “Does your vehicle start and drive?”
Ready to Sell Your Car?
Ditch the headache of selling your car. CashForCars gives you a quote in moments and cash on pickup.
Who Gives the Most Cash for a Blown Engine?
Based on our testing, CarBrain offered the highest amount for our car with a blown engine at $1,355, which was higher than the other services we tested.
Offers can vary depending on your specific vehicle’s make, model, year, and overall condition. Getting multiple quotes is always recommended.
How to Sell a Car with a Blown Engine
- Identify if you have a blown engine. Common signs include knocking sounds, excessive smoke, engine seizing, or oil mixing with coolant. A mechanic’s diagnosis can help when providing details to buyers.
- Get multiple quotes. Submit your information to all three services listed above. The process is free and takes only minutes per company, but could result in hundreds of dollars of difference in your final offer.
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
FAQ Questions
How much is a car with a blown engine worth?
Typically, a car with a blown engine might sell for 20 to 30% of its normal value. Factors like the car’s age, make, model, and overall condition can make a big difference in the final offer.
How much can you get for your engine if you sell it on its own?
A blown engine sold for parts typically brings $150 to $500 depending on the make and model.
The logistics of removing, storing, and selling the engine yourself often make this less practical than selling the entire vehicle to a specialized buyer.
Learn more: How to Sell a Car Without the Engine
Is it worth fixing a blown engine?
Rarely. Engine replacement typically costs $1,000 to $7,000 for most vehicles, which often exceeds the car’s value after repairs.
Unless the vehicle is relatively new, rare, or has strong sentimental value, selling it as-is to a specialized buyer usually makes more financial sense.
Learn more: How to Sell a Car with a Bad Engine
Can you get money from insurance for a blown engine?
Standard auto insurance typically doesn’t cover mechanical failures like a blown engine.
If you have mechanical breakdown insurance or if the engine damage resulted from a covered accident, you might receive compensation. Check your policy or contact your insurance provider to confirm coverage.
Can you trade in a car with a blown engine to a dealership?
Yes, but dealerships typically offer less than specialized buyers. In our test, the highest dealership offer was $600, about half of what CarBrain offered.
How long does the entire process take?
With most online car buying services, the process takes 1 to 3 days from getting quotes to receiving payment.
Do these companies buy cars with other mechanical problems?
Yes, all three companies purchase vehicles with various mechanical issues, not just blown engines.
They also buy cars with transmission problems, flood damage, accident damage, and other issues that make the vehicle hard to sell through traditional channels.
Article Update History
This article was reviewed for accuracy, confirming quote amounts, company details, and buying process information are current.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.