The bottom line: A car with a blown engine is a tough sell, but a handful of online buyers specialize in exactly this and will still make you an offer. Most private buyers don’t want the repair bill, most dealerships will pass, and the repair often costs more than the car is worth.
We tested five cars with blown engines at Peddle, Wheelzy and CashForCars. Some buyers quote online in minutes, and others want to check details by phone before committing to a number. CarBrain is another option.
If you’d rather handle the sale yourself, try eBay Motors or Facebook Marketplace.
The buyer offering the most changed with the car, because each one prices in the blown engine, the car’s year and mileage, and what local buyers need in your area. Get quotes from 2 to 3 buyers to find who offers the most for yours.
What would buyers pay for your car with a blown engine?Fill in one form, with “Not working” as the engine status, and see which buyers make an offer for the car as it is.
Key Takeaways
- Who buys it: Peddle and CashForCars priced every dead-engine car in our test online and Wheelzy the two Foresters, while dealers usually pass, so let Wheelzy call you back on anything pricier than a Forester, and all three tow a dead car free.
- What buyers offered: Buyers offered $375 to $1,225 for our five dead-engine cars, 2003 to 2010 with 81,800 to 270,265 miles, the most for an Avalon and a Prius, so judge yours by model more than miles.
- Who offered most: Peddle offered $115 to $314 more than CashForCars on our three higher-value cars, while on the two Foresters all three came within $100, so get Peddle’s quote on a pricier car.
- Watch out for: Leave the dead engine in the car until pickup, because Wheelzy buys only with it in place and Peddle reprices a car missing a major part.
- Selling it yourself: eBay Motors and Facebook Marketplace can bring more, but a buyer there has to haul away a car with a dead engine, so list one with a clean, rust-free body, and any other goes to an instant buyer that takes it as it is.
- Fix or sell: RepairPal puts a head gasket at $2,572 to $3,386 and a timing chain at $2,120 to $2,764, more than any offer in our test, so sell a car like these as it is.
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
-
Process ease 15% 5/5
- Buys any car in any condition, running or not
- Free towing, with no fees taken off the offer
- You can cancel before pickup at no cost
- Pays by check on the spot at pickup
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 5/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
-
Process ease 15% 4/5
- Buys damaged cars, even ones that can't be driven
- The engine and transmission must still be in
- Free towing, included with every offer
- Picks up within 48 hours, sometimes the same day
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Offer amount 30% 4.5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
-
Process ease 15% 2/5
- Owned by Copart, the salvage auction company
- Buys almost any vehicle with a motor, running or not
- Free towing, and it handles the title transfer
- Hands you a check at pickup, or mails it
Automated assistant: general info, not legal advice
Answers come from our state paperwork data and published guides. Confirm anything binding with your state DMV.
Compare Instant Offers
Best Places to Sell a Car With a Blown Engine
Best For Instant Online Quotes: Peddle
Peddle buys junk, salvage, and non-running cars
- Free towing
- Fast payment
- Buys non running cars
- Pays by check at pickup
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
-
Process ease 15% 5/5
Our take on Peddle: Peddle buys cars with blown engines online without requiring a phone call. They gave instant quotes on all five vehicles in our test, as CashForCars did. 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
- Up to seven days to accept the offer
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 also 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:
Best For Budget Vehicles: Wheelzy
Wheelzy buys cars in any condition, running or not
- Buys cars without keys
- Buys cars missing parts, engine and transmission in
- Pays cash or check at pickup
- Quote often needs a phone call
-
Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 5/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
-
Process ease 15% 4/5
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 holds at pickup when the blown engine is as you described and no original part is missing
- 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. Wheelzy calls its offer guaranteed, though the driver still checks the car at pickup, and the offer can drop if the catalytic converter is missing or replaced. 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:
Best For Copart Auction Network: CashForCars
CashForCars is owned by Copart and buys cars in any condition
- Free towing from nearly 200 locations
- Buys any vehicle with a motor, running or not
- Backed by Copart auction yards
- Pays a check right at pickup
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Offer amount 30% 4.5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
-
Process ease 15% 2/5
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, so you can use the funds only once it clears
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:
Best For Negotiating Your Offer: CarBrain
CarBrain specializes in wrecked and broken-down vehicles
- Pickup 24 to 48 hours after accepting
- Buys totaled and wrecked cars
- Buys cars with blown engines
- Handles bad transmission sales
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Offer amount 30% 3/5
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Quote speed 20% 4/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 3/5
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Process ease 15% 5/5
Our take on CarBrain: CarBrain has been buying damaged and problem cars since 2007 and gives its offer count as close to a million. They let you counter their first offer. When we got a quote, CarBrain’s form showed that step. 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. We found that counter step in its quote form when we got a quote
- Free towing in the lower 48, 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.
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. You’ll need to find your own tow truck if the engine is truly dead.
Best For Nationwide Buyer Reach: eBay Motors
eBay Motors lists your car to buyers nationwide
- Listing fee is $34 or $79
- 40 photos with either fee
- No percent fee on sale price
- 2.8% fee on deposits via eBay
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Buyer reach 25% 3/5
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Safety features 25% 4/5
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Listing cost 20% 3/5
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Time to sell 15% 4/5
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Ease of listing 15% 3/5
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 and answer questions, and eBay expects the buyer to arrange any towing. The listing fee is $34, or $79 if you ask more than $15,000, 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
With Facebook Marketplace you sell your car directly to local buyers
- Sell directly to local buyers
- Buyers message you on Marketplace first
- Post in local buy/sell groups
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Buyer reach 25% 5/5
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Safety features 25% 3/5
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Listing cost 20% 5/5
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Time to sell 15% 4/5
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Ease of listing 15% 5/5
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 of a sale paid in person 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 | Up to seven days to accept | No | 4.7/5 |
|
Sometimes | Yes | No expiry date | No | 4.7/5 |
|
Yes | Yes | Limited time, no set period | No | 4.3/5 |
|
Yes | Yes | Seven days | Yes | 4.8/5 |
|
|
No (listing) | No | N/A | Yes (auction) | 1.2/5 (all of eBay) |
|
|
No (listing) | No | N/A | Yes (negotiation) | 1.2/5 |
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 |
We got these quotes with a Florida ZIP code. Your offers can be higher or lower, because they depend on where you live, your car’s condition and what buyers need in your area.
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 ran from $87 on the 2003 Forester to $314 on the Avalon.
Ask more than one buyer. In our offer data, 12% of cars ten years and older that did not start drew an offer from only one of up to three buyers asked, against 5% of cars that drive.
Cars that got only one offer 1,069 cars 10 years and older, each put to up to three buyersShow the numbers
Condition Share with one offer Offers Starts and drives 5% 737 All cars 7% 1,069 Body damage 7% 135 Does not start 12% 213 Sitting at a mechanic 12% 77 Catalytic converter missing 17% 42 Loan outstanding 24% 38 
See how offers compare for your specific car before you commit to one buyer.
Compare instant offers before you accept one
Compare instant offers before you accept one
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. Replacing an engine 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?
In our offer data, the best offer for a car that does not start is about 46% lower than for a car of similar age and mileage that drives. 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 214,087 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 85,842 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 4.3/5 on Trustpilot based on 8,874 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. Sellers report asking for more and getting it, though one was refused, so push back before you accept.
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.
CarMax sees the car in person before it pays. In areas with home pickup you can book it online with your offer, though a fee may apply and some sales still have to close at a store, so a car with a blown engine may still need a tow you arrange. 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.
How fast can I sell a car with a blown engine?
Instant buyers like Peddle, Wheelzy, and CashForCars can have your car picked up within 24 to 48 hours of accepting an offer. Some sellers get a same-day pickup, but don’t plan around one.
Listing it privately on Facebook Marketplace or eBay Motors takes longer. Expect up to 8 weeks or more to find a buyer who actually wants a car with a blown engine.
What do I need to sell a car with a blown engine?
You need a 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.
Article Update History
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
Cars that got only one offer, Junk Car Value Statistics
"1,069 cars 10 years and older, each put to up to three buyers" Accessed Oct. 16, 2026
Junk Car Value Statistics, Sell Car Advisor
"On this page: 3 figures from same-day quotes by several buyers" Accessed Oct. 19, 2026
"$2,572 to $3,386, head gasket replacement cost; $2,120 to $2,764, timing chain replacement cost" Accessed Sep. 11, 2026
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