Sell a Car With a Blown Head Gasket
A blown head gasket — white smoke, overheating, milky oil, lost coolant — can be sold as-is; the offer is set by the vehicle itself, not the repair bill. Price depends on model year, make and model, whether it runs or drives, and title status. Across all conditions, JunkUrCar instant offers (Mar 2022–Oct 2026) had a median of $3,975 for 2018+ vehicles vs $300 for pre-2008, and 86% of accepted 2018+ offers were $1,000 or more. Offers are not guaranteed.
Updated
What sets the offer
- Newer model years hold far more value despite engine trouble.
- Whether it still runs and drives, even briefly, affects the offer.
- If overheating warped the head or damaged the engine, say so — it's priced like an engine failure.
- Clean title in your name gets the best offer.
Real offers by model year (all conditions)
Real instant offers for junk cars in all vehicles, Mar 2022–Oct 2026. Our data does not record vehicle condition, so these figures cover all conditions — not only cars with this problem. Groups with fewer than 5 offers are hidden. Offers are not guaranteed.
| Model years | Median offer | Middle half | Offers (n) | Accepted offers $1,000+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018+ | $3,975 | $1,525–$7,125 | 2,045 | 86% (of 7) |
| 2013–17 | $575 | $350–$1,150 | 6,628 | 35% (of 77) |
| 2008–12 | $375 | $250–$525 | 10,386 | 18% (of 100) |
| pre-2008 | $300 | $225–$400 | 22,330 | 5% (of 168) |
Repair or sell?
- A head gasket job is mostly labor, so quotes vary a lot by engine layout — get a written quote.
- Ask whether the head needs machining or the engine is damaged; that changes the decision.
- If the quote is close to what the car is worth running, selling as-is avoids the risk of more problems after the repair.
Title and paperwork
- Title in your name and a matching photo ID.
- Don't keep driving an overheating car to a sale — free towing covers it.
Rules vary by state. See the paperwork guide and title requirements by state.
Value pages for popular 2013+ vehicles
- 2015 Toyota Corolla junk value (2015–2019 median $2,650, all conditions)
- 2015 Toyota Camry junk value (2015–2019 median $1,925, all conditions)
- 2015 Toyota RAV4 junk value (2015–2019 median $4,925, all conditions)
- 2017 Toyota Tacoma junk value (2015–2019 median $7,825, all conditions)
- 2013 Toyota Prius junk value (2010–2014 median $1,500, all conditions)
- 2019 Toyota Highlander junk value (2015–2019 median $8,475, all conditions)
- 2015 Toyota Yaris junk value (2015–2019 median $1,050, all conditions)
- 2014 Toyota Avalon junk value (2010–2014 median $2,250, all conditions)
Questions
Can I sell a car with a blown head gasket?
Yes. Describe the symptoms and get an instant offer; the car is towed for free.
Should I drive it to the buyer?
No. Driving with a blown head gasket can ruin the engine. The pickup is free, so leave it parked.
Is a head gasket repair worth it?
It depends on the quote, the car's running value and today's offer. On older cars the repair often costs more than the car gains.
Do sealant additives help sell it?
Don't rely on them. Describe the problem honestly — offers are based on your description.
Get your instant offer
Enter your vehicle and describe the problem. Free towing. Offers are not guaranteed.
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