Last updated: July 2026 — every figure on this page was checked against the named UK sources on 8 July 2026.
The working rule: if a repair costs more than half to two-thirds of what the car is worth, it is usually not worth doing. That is the threshold insurers themselves use — the AA cites “haround half to two-thirds of the value” and the RAC illustrates a 60% repair-to-value ratio.
Below: how to get your car’s real value for free, what the scrap floor is worth (£279 on average right now), and a five-step way to run the maths.
Step 1: find out what the car is actually worth
Not what you paid, not what you hope — what it sells for today. Two free, instant options: webuyanycar’s valuation tool (industry CAP data plus live market data, valid for 4 days) and Motorway’s tracker (built from dealer bids on its marketplace, valid for 7 days). Run both with your reg and mileage and take the lower figure as your working value — you are pricing a decision, not an advert.
Step 2: get the repair quoted properly
A phone estimate is not a quote. For big jobs — clutch, gearbox, head gasket, wet belt — get the fault diagnosed and a written quote that itemises parts, labour hours and what happens if they find more damage. Our cost guides give you the verified benchmarks to check any quote against.
Step 3: apply the 50–60% rule
| Car’s value | Repair above this = think hard | Repair above this = usually scrap/sell |
|---|---|---|
| £1,500 | £750 | £1,000 |
| £3,000 | £1,500 | £2,000 |
| £5,000 | £2,500 | £3,000 |
| £8,000 | £4,000 | £5,300 |
The thresholds apply the AA’s “half to two-thirds” band. The RAC’s worked example is the same idea: a £5,000 car with a 60% repair-to-value ratio is beyond economical repair once the work exceeds £3,000. These are insurer write-off practices, but they are a sound personal benchmark too — insurers run this maths for a living.
Step 4: know your floor — the scrap value
A dead car is not worth zero. CarTakeBack’s live price tracker puts the current average scrap car value at £279 (June 2026, the highest of the past 12 months; the year’s range was £241–£279), while Scrap Car Comparison quotes around £200 as a general average. Value is driven mainly by weight and scrap metal prices, plus salvageable parts. Legal notes from gov.uk: the car must go to an authorised treatment facility (ATF), you get a Certificate of Destruction, and you can be fined £1,000 if you do not tell the DVLA.
Step 5: adjust for the car’s next 12 months
- What else is due? A £600 clutch on a car that also needs tyres and a cambelt is really a £1,200 decision.
- MOT history — a string of advisories tells you what is coming; check it free on gov.uk.
- Does the fix restore full value? A repaired head gasket on an overheated engine may not.
- Replacement cost — the repair only “loses” if the money would genuinely go towards a better car.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the 60% rule come from?
From insurer write-off practice: the RAC describes insurers using repair-to-value ratios (60% in its example) and the AA cites half to two-thirds of the vehicle’s value as the point where repairs stop making sense.
What is a Cat S or Cat N car?
Insurance write-off categories: Cat S means structurally damaged but repairable; Cat N means non-structural damage, often uneconomical rather than unsafe. Cat A and B cars can never return to the road.
How much do you get for scrapping a car?
The current UK average is £279 according to CarTakeBack’s June 2026 price update; Scrap Car Comparison quotes around £200. Weight and metal prices drive the figure, so heavier cars pay more.
Is it ever worth repairing beyond the 60% threshold?
Sometimes — if you know the car’s full history, everything else is sound, and an equivalent replacement would cost far more than the repair. The rule is a benchmark, not a law; the point is to decide with real numbers.
Related guides
Sources: the RAC on insurance write-offs, the AA on damage categories, CarTakeBack scrap price update, Scrap Car Comparison and gov.uk, all checked 8 July 2026. See how we verify prices.