I want to take the guesswork out of selling your car. I analyze market data, decode DMV title laws, and test out online car buyers to give you a straight answer on whether it's worth holding out for a higher price or if you're better off taking the most convenient offer and moving on.
Published:Mar 4, 2026
Last Updated:Apr 16, 2026
✓ Fact Checked:Mar 4, 2026
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The bottom line: A car with a blown engine is a tough sell. Private buyers don’t want the repair bill. Most dealerships will pass. And the repair itself often costs more than the car is worth. But a handful of online buyers specialize in exactly this situation and will still make you an offer.
We got quotes from three of them: Peddle, Wheelzy, and CashForCars. We tested five vehicles with blown engines. We also looked at CarBrain as an additional option, plus eBay Motors and Facebook Marketplace for sellers who want to handle the sale themselves.
Instant buyers handle blown engines in different ways. Some give you a quote online in minutes. Others want to verify details by phone before committing to a number. All of them factor in the blown engine, the car’s year and mileage, and what local buyers need in your area.
The winner changed depending on the vehicle, so getting quotes from 2 to 3 buyers is the best way to find who offers the most for your car.
Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
Key Takeaways
offered the most on 4 out of 5 vehicles in our test and was the only buyer that gave instant online quotes for all five
beat on the oldest car in the test but required a phone call for the other three higher-value vehicles
is backed by Copart and has about 200 pickup locations nationwide. It gave instant quotes on all 5 vehicles
lets you counter their first offer, which none of the other instant buyers on this list allow
and can get you more money but you handle everything yourself, including finding a tow truck for a car that won’t start
No single company offered the most on every vehicle. The winner changed depending on the car.
Our take on Peddle:Peddle buys cars with blown engines online without requiring a phone call. They were the only buyer in our test to give instant quotes on all five vehicles. Blown engines, failed transmissions, cars that won’t start. This is exactly the type of car they’re set up to handle.
Pros
Instant online quotes for cars with blown engines, no phone call required
Free towing even if the blown engine makes the car completely immovable
Quote is valid for 7 days so you have time to get other offers before deciding
Cons
Offers can change at pickup if the driver finds undisclosed damage beyond the blown engine
Won’t buy the car if there’s an active loan or lien on it
Pickup windows are typically 4-hour blocks, not a specific time
Why we picked it: Peddle offered the most on 4 out of 5 cars in our test: the 2007 Forester, the 2007 Avalon, the 2009 Audi Q5, and the 2010 Prius. They were also the only buyer that handled every vehicle online without asking for a follow-up call. If you want a fast quote on a blown engine car without picking up the phone, Peddle is the easiest place to start.
What Peddle says about buying cars with a blown engine:
Peddle gave instant online quotes on every car in our blown engine test.
Our take on Wheelzy:Wheelzy buys cars with blown engines and will tow them for free even if they don’t move. They gave the highest offer on the oldest, cheapest car in our test. For the three higher-value vehicles, they asked for a phone call rather than giving an instant online quote.
Pros
Buys cars with blown engines and handles all towing for free
Price stays locked at pickup when your car’s condition matches what you described
Many locations offer same-day pickup even for cars that won’t start
Cons
Required a phone call rather than an instant quote for 3 out of 5 blown engine cars we tested
Some BBB complaints mention last-minute price changes at pickup
Won’t buy vehicles older than 1981, which rules out classic cars with engine problems
Why we picked it: Wheelzy offered the most on the 2003 Subaru Forester at $462, beating both Peddle and CashForCars on that vehicle. Their price-lock guarantee is also a big plus when selling a car with a blown engine. You won’t get a lower number when the tow truck arrives just because the car looks rough. If you have a lower-value car with a dead engine and want to avoid surprises, Wheelzy is worth a quote.
How Wheelzy asks about engine condition in their quote form:
Wheelzy offered the most on the lowest-value car in our blown engine test.
Our take on CashForCars:CashForCars is owned by Copart, one of the biggest auto auction companies in the country. They gave instant quotes on all five blown engine cars we tested and have about 200 pickup locations nationwide. Their connection to Copart’s resale network means they have strong demand for damaged cars and engines regardless of condition.
Pros
Backed by Copart’s auction network, so they have buyers for cars with blown engines
About 200 locations means same-day or next-day pickup is possible for many sellers
Gave instant quotes on every blown engine car in our test without requiring a call
Cons
The offer may be lower than what you’d get from Peddle for higher-value blown engine cars
Won’t buy if you still owe money on the car
Payment is by check, and most banks hold it for 24 hours before you can use the funds
Why we picked it: CashForCars had the second-highest offer on 3 out of 5 vehicles in our test and was the only Copart-backed buyer on this list. Their nationwide coverage and instant online quoting process make them a solid backup to check alongside Peddle. The gap between their offers and Peddle’s was small on two cars but wider on others, which is why getting quotes from both is worth the extra two minutes.
What CashForCars says about buying cars with mechanical problems:
CashForCars is backed by Copart and gave instant online quotes on all 5 cars in our test.
Our take on CarBrain:CarBrain has been buying damaged and problem cars since 2007 and has bought close to a million vehicles. What makes them different from Peddle and Wheelzy is that they let you counter their first offer. No other service on this list allows that. If you think your blown engine car is worth more than the first number you see, you can push back.
Pros
You can counter their first offer on your blown engine car. No other instant buyer on this list allows that
Free towing nationwide, even if your engine failure means the car is completely immovable
Handles cars with salvage titles and accident history on top of engine problems
Cons
Won’t buy a car if the engine or transmission has been removed. The car needs to be complete
Offers tend to run lower than competitors, making that counter feature more important to use
The title must be in your name before they can proceed with the purchase
Why we picked it: CarBrain’s counter-offer feature is a real advantage when selling a car with a blown engine, because fewer buyers are competing for it and the first offer may be conservative. Their long track record with problem cars and no hidden fees make them a legitimate option if Peddle and Wheelzy come in lower than you expected.
CarBrain is the only instant buyer on this list that lets you counter their first offer.
Other Options For Selling a Car With a Blown Engine
Instant buyers are the fastest option, but they’re not the only one. If your car has parts value or you’re willing to do the work yourself, listing platforms can get you more money. Keep in mind you’ll need to find your own tow truck if the engine is truly dead.
Best For Nationwide Buyer Reach: eBay Motors
Our take on eBay Motors:eBay Motors is a good option for selling a blown engine car if you have time and the car still has parts value. Mechanics, rebuilders, and DIY buyers actively search for cars like this to strip for parts or repair. The national audience means your car reaches buyers who specifically want a project car or a donor vehicle. These are people you’d never find locally.
The downside is that you handle everything. You take the photos, write the description, answer questions, and arrange towing if needed. Listing fees run $19 to $79 with no percentage cut from the sale. If you’re not in a rush and your car model has strong parts demand, eBay Motors can get you more than any instant buyer on this list.
Best For Local Private Sales: Facebook Marketplace
Our take on Facebook Marketplace:Facebook Marketplace is free to list and reaches local buyers right away. For a car with a blown engine, it works best if the model is popular with mechanics or parts hunters in your area. Be upfront about the engine in your listing. Buyers who respond knowing the problem are serious, and you avoid wasting time.
Expect a lot of low-ball messages and some no-shows. The tradeoff is real: you keep every dollar from the sale and set your own price. If your car has a solid body, low rust, and newer tires despite the dead engine, listing it locally is worth trying before accepting an instant offer.
Sell a Car With a Blown Engine: Feature Comparison
Company
Instant Online Quote
Free Towing
Quote Valid
Counter Offer
Trustpilot
Yes
Yes
7 days
No
4.7/5
Sometimes
Yes
N/A
No
4.7/5
Yes
Yes
7 days
No
4.4/5
Yes
Yes
7 days
Yes
4.9/5
No (listing)
No
N/A
Yes (auction)
1.3/5
No (listing)
No
N/A
Yes (negotiation)
1.3/5
Sell a Car With a Blown Engine: What Each Buyer Offered
We submitted 5 cars with blown engines to Peddle, Wheelzy, and CashForCars using the same zip code. Here’s every offer we got.
All Offers at a Glance
Vehicle
2003 Subaru Forester (132k mi)
$380
$462
$375
2007 Subaru Forester (113k mi)
$475
$462
$375
2007 Toyota Avalon Limited (81.8k mi)
$940
Required call
$626
2009 Audi Q5 (126.6k mi)
$490
Required call
$375
2010 Toyota Prius (270k mi)
$1,225
Required call
$1,096
2003 Forester
2007 Forester
2007 Avalon
2009 Audi Q5
2010 Prius
2003 Subaru Forester 2.5XS
132,000 miles · Blown engine
$462
$380
$375
2007 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium
113,000 miles · Blown engine
$475
$462
$375
2007 Toyota Avalon Limited
81,800 miles · Blown engine
$940
$626
Required call
2009 Audi Q5 3.2
126,636 miles · Blown engine
$490
$375
Required call
2010 Toyota Prius Base
270,265 miles · Blown engine
$1,225
$1,096
Required call
Keep in mind: We got these quotes using a Florida zip code. Offers can change depending on where you live, your car’s condition, and what buyers need in your area. You might get higher or lower offers.
What This Tells Us
What this tells us:
The gap between buyers is tightest on older, lower-value cars with blown engines. As the car’s potential resale value rises, the spread between buyers widens.
Some buyers switch from online quotes to phone calls for blown engines on luxury or hybrid vehicles. The engine type and resale complexity likely affects how confident they are pricing it automatically.
A blown engine alone doesn’t make a car worthless. The year, model, mileage, and body condition still influence the offer significantly.
Buyers connected to large auction networks have more options for reselling damaged engines and cars, which may support higher offers on vehicles with parts demand.
If your car’s engine is blown but the rest of it is solid, with a good body, no rust, and working electronics, leading with those details when describing the car can help you get a stronger offer.
Sellers who want to avoid phone calls should check whether a buyer gives instant online quotes for their specific car before committing to one service.
Checking 2 to 3 quotes takes about 10 minutes total. Based on our test, the difference between the highest and lowest offer was $115 on the cheapest car and $314 on the most valuable one.
See how offers compare for your specific car before you commit to one buyer.
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best place to sell a car with a blown engine?
Peddle is the best starting point for most sellers. They gave instant online quotes on every car in our test and offered the most on 4 out of 5 vehicles.
That said, the winner changes by vehicle. Always check at least two buyers before accepting. Wheelzy and CashForCars are both worth a quick quote to compare.
Should I fix the engine before selling, or sell it as is?
In most cases, sell it as is. A typical engine replacement costs $3,000 to $7,000 or more depending on the car. That repair rarely adds enough to the sale price to cover the cost.
The exception is a minor issue like a head gasket or timing chain on an otherwise clean, high-value car. In that case, it may be worth getting a repair estimate first to compare the numbers.
How much does a blown engine reduce a car’s value?
A blown engine typically cuts the offer by 50% to 80% compared to a running version of the same car. The exact drop depends on the make, model, and how much the engine itself is worth for parts.
Buyers price these cars based on scrap value, parts demand, and what they can get at auction. The car’s book value isn’t the starting point.
Vehicles with popular engines (Subaru EJ, Toyota 2JZ, Honda K-series) may hold more value in the parts market.
Does Peddle buy cars with blown engines?
Yes. Peddle lists blown engines as one of their main buying categories. They gave us instant online quotes on all five blown engine cars we tested without requiring a phone call.
Peddle has 4.7/5 on Trustpilot based on 190,094 reviews.
Does Wheelzy buy cars with blown engines?
Yes. Wheelzy buys cars with blown engines and provides free towing. In our test, they gave instant quotes on the two lower-value Foresters but required a phone call for the Avalon, Audi Q5, and Prius.
Wheelzy has 4.7/5 on Trustpilot based on 77,445 reviews.
Does CashForCars buy cars with blown engines?
Yes. CashForCars explicitly buys cars with blown engines, failed transmissions, and other major mechanical problems. They gave instant quotes on every car in our test and are backed by Copart’s auction network.
CashForCars has 4.4/5 on Trustpilot based on 8,840 reviews.
Does CarBrain buy cars with blown engines?
Yes. CarBrain specializes in cars with major mechanical problems, including blown engines. They won’t buy a car if the engine has been removed entirely, but a blown or seized engine in place is fine.
Their counter-offer option is worth using. Their initial offers tend to run conservative, so pushing back often gets you a better number on a problem car.
Does CarMax buy cars with blown engines?
CarMax will appraise most cars, including those with mechanical issues. However, they’ll typically offer much less for a blown engine car than an instant buyer like Peddle or CashForCars would.
You also have to bring the car in for an in-person appraisal, which means you need to arrange a tow if it won’t start. Instant buyers come to you and bring the tow truck for free.
Can I sell a car with a blown engine privately?
You can, but it’s hard. Most private buyers want a car they can drive home. A blown engine immediately cuts your buyer pool to mechanics, rebuilders, and parts hunters.
If you’re willing to wait and price it right, Facebook Marketplace and eBay Motors both reach buyers who specifically look for project cars and parts donors.
Be upfront about the engine in your listing to avoid wasting time with the wrong buyers.
Instant buyers like Peddle, Wheelzy, and CashForCars can have your car picked up within 24 to 48 hours of accepting an offer. Same-day pickup is possible in many metro areas.
Listing it privately on Facebook Marketplace or eBay Motors takes longer. Most sellers wait 1 to 4 weeks to find the right buyer who actually wants a blown engine car.
What do I need to sell a car with a blown engine?
You need a clean title in your name. If you have a salvage title, most instant buyers will still make an offer.
If there’s an active loan on the car, you’ll need to pay it off or find a buyer who handles lien payoffs before proceeding.
Have your mileage, VIN, and an honest description of the engine condition ready. Disclosing all known issues upfront, not just the blown engine, prevents offer changes when the tow truck arrives.
Methodology
We selected 5 vehicles with blown engines across different makes, models, and mileage ranges: a 2003 Subaru Forester 2.5XS (132,000 miles), a 2007 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium (113,000 miles), a 2007 Toyota Avalon Limited (81,800 miles), a 2009 Audi Q5 3.2 (126,636 miles), and a 2010 Toyota Prius Base (270,265 miles).
We submitted each car to Peddle, Wheelzy, and CashForCars using the same Florida zip code and answered all questions honestly, selecting blown engine as the primary condition issue. We took screenshots of every result, including screens that asked for a phone call instead of showing an instant quote.
Peddle and CashForCars gave instant online quotes for all 5 vehicles. Wheelzy gave instant quotes on the 2003 and 2007 Subaru Foresters and directed us to call for the Avalon, Audi Q5, and Prius. CarBrain, eBay Motors, and Facebook Marketplace were reviewed based on their features and policies, not quote testing.
We did not accept any offers. Your results will differ based on your location, your car’s specific condition, and which buyers are active in your area at the time you request quotes.
offered the most on 4 out of 5 vehicles in our test and was the only buyer that gave instant online quotes for all five
beat
is backed by Copart and has about 200 pickup locations nationwide. It gave instant quotes on all 5 vehicles
lets you counter their first offer, which none of the other instant buyers on this list allow
