The clutch needs replacing in my 20 year old car - should I just trade it in?

I have a 2004 Toyota Yaris. It's done 133,000 miles but needs the clutch replacing and a few other things too. Is it worth having the work done or should I trade it in?

Asked on 19 May 2023 by Judith Daley

Answered by David Ross
Running an older car on a budget frequently means trying to balance the cost of repairs against trading it in for something else. We would start by getting an estimate for the repairs that are required and looking online to see what your car is currently worth. It can feel like a waste of money ploughing money into a car that is not worth a great deal already, but it can be a case of 'better the devil you know'. A different car could come with a host of new problems and may not be as reliable as your current car.

If your Yaris has been reliable, it suits your needs and has been well-maintained, there is no reason why it could not go on for several more years. Clutches are a consumable part so will always wear out eventually, so should be considered part of the cost of ongoing maintenance, although once done it should be good for another 100,000 miles.
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