how to fix my car

I have an 05 Honda Civic with about 42,000 miles on it. Recently, it’s been overheating. I took it into a mechanic who wasn’t able to fix it. He had several theories (radiator, gasket, etc.). I’m now thinking about trading it in. Is it worth having the mechanic diagnose and fix the problem prior to trading it in or should I just trade it in. Will they even drive it and know that it is overheating when I trade it in.

Note – The KBB value is estimated at $12,500

Thanks for the advice!

They’ll drive it and check it out first, probably won’t drive it too far. They’ll also do a compression check on the engine. You should at least diagnose it, that way you’ll know the problem and may be able to hide it from the dealer. If it’s a head gasket, you could use that stop leak junk but it may be a simple thermostat.
Good Luck

4 Responses to “Repair a car before trading it in?”

1. mommyAT15 Says:
   December 19th, 2009 at 4:37 am

   that depends what u wanna trade it in for. if you want a NICER more EXPENSIVE car…. fix it …. just make sure ur not paying more to fix it than the difference of the new car.
   References :

2. the bear facts Says:
   December 19th, 2009 at 5:08 am

   Absolutely not it’s buyer beware even if you trade it at a dealership,and it does nothing to increase the value.
   References :

3. yotajoe Says:
   December 19th, 2009 at 5:20 am

   They’ll drive it and check it out first, probably won’t drive it too far. They’ll also do a compression check on the engine. You should at least diagnose it, that way you’ll know the problem and may be able to hide it from the dealer. If it’s a head gasket, you could use that stop leak junk but it may be a simple thermostat.
   Good Luck
   References :

4. cgriffin1972 Says:
   December 19th, 2009 at 5:34 am

   Thermostat is stuck shut, or you have a hose collapsing

   The mechanic is not worth a crap, better go find another.

   I would fix it and continue to drive it for about another 50K then trade it.
   References :

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