KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (SUBMITTED) -- These days, many motorists are putting off the purchase of a newer vehicle. But as existing vehicles continue to age, major components can begin to fail and leave motorists facing a tough decision—invest in costly repairs to an older vehicle or invest in the purchase of a newer one.

“While repairing major vehicle components such as the transmission or engine can run upwards of $2,000 or more,” says Craig Horsley, director, Automotive Services for AAA East Tennessee. “the repair is often cheaper than getting another car.” When faced with that choice, motorists need to consider a number of factors.

Think about repairing the old car when:

• The car is worth less than what you owe on it, and financing a major repair would be less than the combined cost of purchase and insurance on another car.

• The repair will cost less than half the vehicle’s worth. The vehicle’s appearance, inside and out, should be included in estimating its worth. Current trade-in and retail values of vehicles can be determined using tools available in the Automotive section of AAA.com.

• Credit for a new purchase is hard to come by.

• The vehicle is a classic that will increase in value.

• The old car is generally reliable. The best way to know a vehicle’s condition is by maintaining it on a regular basis and using the same repair shop. Technicians that know the service history of a vehicle can alert its owner when a major repair is likely. Keep in mind that the best time to make a repair or replace decision is always before the vehicle breaks down.

• The terms of the loan are not easy to afford.

“Following the vehicle manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations can greatly increase the lifespan of a vehicle, often to more than 100,000 miles” Horsley says.

Purchasing another car might be better when:

• The vehicle breaks down frequently. If it has a history of problems, that could indicate there are more costly repairs still to come.

• A major repair bill is half or more of the vehicle’s worth.

• Financing and insurance are available and affordable.

• It’s time for a change in lifestyle. Your family is growing, or the commute longer, or you want a safer or more eco-friendly vehicle. These factors could combine with a big repair to move you into something different.

If deciding to go ahead with a major repair, be sure to use a qualified and trustworthy auto repair facility. AAA offers a free public service to assist consumers in their search for a quality auto repair shop. AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities have met stringent standards for customer service, quality and expertise. A listing of AAA Approved Auto Repair shops is available at AAA.com/repair.

(This information was submitted by AAA of East Tennessee.)