Car ownership in India brings unique challenges. Harsh summers, heavy monsoons, traffic congestion, and stricter RC rules (10 years for diesel, 15 for petrol in NCR) make maintaining older vehicles costly. Many repairs cost more than the benefit they bring, especially for cars with low resale value or nearing the scrappage limit.
Many minor issues, especially cosmetic or low-impact ones, can cost more to repair than the value they add to your vehicle. In fact, some repairs don’t improve safety, resale value, or performance, yet workshops often push them as “necessary.”
Here are 19 car issues that usually aren’t worth fixing in India, with explanations of why owners skip them, what they cost, and what alternatives are more practical.
Cosmetic Fixes That Cost More Than They’re Worth in India
1. Small Dents and Scratches on Older Cars
Minor dents are inevitable in crowded Indian cities. Fixing them costs anywhere from ₹3,000 to ₹10,000 per panel. But on older cars like a 2015 Alto or WagonR worth under ₹1 lakh, repairs add nothing to resale. Most buyers negotiate based on age and mileage, not small scratches. Owners usually leave the dents as-is.
2. Full Car Repainting for Faded Color
A complete repaint at an authorized service center costs ₹40,000-₹60,000. That’s often more than a quarter of the car’s resale value. For an old Swift or i10, repainting is a poor investment. Instead, owners prefer touch-up sprays or polishing that cost under ₹5,000, which makes the car look presentable without sinking money into it.
3. Roof Liner Sagging in Humid Areas
In humid cities like Kochi, Kolkata, or Chennai, the fabric roof lining often sags after 7-8 years. Fixing it costs ₹5,000-₹10,000, but it doesn’t affect safety or resale. Many owners pin it up, use adhesive sprays, or simply ignore it, especially if the car is already nearing end-of-life.
4. Minor Upholstery Wear and Tear
Replacing torn or faded upholstery costs ₹15,000-₹25,000 for factory-quality work. For older hatchbacks, that’s almost half the resale value. Most Indians use universal seat covers for ₹2,000-₹3,000 or even roadside fabric stitching for a few hundred rupees instead.
5. Sunroof Repairs in Budget Cars
Sunroofs have become a trend in cars under ₹15 lakh, like Hyundai i20, Kia Sonet, and Tata Nexon. But in Indian conditions, leaks, rattles, or motor failures often start after 4-5 years. Repairs cost ₹20,000-₹40,000, which is 10-15% of the resale value of the car. Since most owners barely use the sunroof, they simply seal it shut or live with the rattle.
Expensive Mechanical Repairs Indian Owners Often Skip
6. Suspension Overhaul in Very Old Cars
Bad roads in India wear suspensions quickly. A full suspension overhaul costs ₹20,000-₹40,000, and luxury cars can cross ₹1 lakh. For a 9-year-old diesel car in NCR, where it will soon be banned, this repair is pointless. Many owners tolerate a slightly bumpy ride or sell the car instead of spending heavily.
7. AC Compressor Failure in Low-Value Cars
An AC compressor replacement costs ₹15,000-₹40,000. For old Santros, WagonRs, or i10 with resale under ₹1.5 lakh, fixing the AC makes no sense. Owners in cooler regions or those using the car as a secondary vehicle simply roll down windows rather than spend a third of the car’s value on AC repair.
8. Minor Engine Oil Seepage
Light oil seepage is common in older engines. Fixing seals or gaskets costs ₹10,000-₹15,000, but topping up oil during service costs only ₹500-₹1,000. As long as performance isn’t affected, Indian owners ignore it. (Serious leaks like brake or gearbox fluid must never be ignored.)
9. Engine Overhaul Near RC Expiry
An engine rebuild costs ₹1-1.5 lakh. But in Delhi NCR, diesel cars are scrapped at 10 years, petrol at 15. Spending that much on a 9-year-old diesel is wasteful, as the car cannot legally run beyond the deadline. Most owners sell earlier or scrap the car when the engine fails.
10. CNG Kit Replacement in Old Cars
CNG kits cost ₹40,000-₹50,000. Installing a new one in a car already 8-10 years old is pointless, since resale is low and the car’s RC validity is limited. Many owners sell their cars instead of replacing kits once problems start.
When Electrical Problems Aren’t Worth Fixing in Indian Cars
11. Power Window Motor Failure in Old Cars
Each motor costs ₹3,000-₹6,000. On a decade-old hatchback, that’s not worth it. Most owners just stop using that particular window or manually adjust it, especially if the car is already near the end of its life.
12. Central Locking Malfunctions
OEM central locking repairs cost ₹8,000-₹12,000. But aftermarket systems are widely available for ₹2,000-₹3,000. Most owners switch to aftermarket rather than paying dealership prices.
13. Touchscreen Infotainment Failure
OEM infotainment systems cost ₹30,000-₹50,000. But aftermarket Android units with CarPlay and reverse cameras cost under ₹10,000. Indian owners almost always go aftermarket, often upgrading features in the process.
14. Sensor Failures in Old Cars (Parking, TPMS, ABS)
Sensors cost ₹5,000-₹15,000 each. On older cars, parking sensors and TPMS are often ignored. ABS sensors are skipped too if the car is near scrappage, though safety-conscious owners replace them in mid-life vehicles.
15. Smart Key Replacement
Losing a smart key can cost ₹12,000-₹20,000. Many Indian owners continue using just one key rather than spending that much on a replacement. In Tier-2 towns, locksmiths often reprogram keys for much cheaper.
Repairs That Make No Sense Under Indian RC and Scrappage Rules
16. RC Renewal Repairs Near Scrappage Age
In NCR, diesel cars can’t run beyond 10 years, petrol beyond 15. Spending ₹50,000+ on a 9-year-old Innova diesel or Verna petrol is a waste since RC renewal won’t be allowed. Owners usually sell before expiry.
17. Expensive OEM Headlamp Replacement
OEM LED headlamps cost ₹20,000-₹40,000 each. Instead, Indian owners fit aftermarket bulbs or projectors for ₹2,000-₹5,000, which provide adequate visibility without huge costs.
18. Rust Patches in Coastal Cities
Cars in Mumbai or Chennai often develop rust after 7-8 years. Full rust treatment costs ₹20,000+, but it usually returns. Unless structural safety is affected, owners ignore it. Many just use underbody coating sprays every year.
19. Cosmetic Bumper Cracks
New bumpers cost ₹10,000+. In cities like Pune or Bengaluru, cars with zip-tied or taped bumpers are a common sight. Owners often fix only when selling the car.
The Smarter Way to Decide Which Car Repairs to Skip in India
Not every repair is worth the money. On Indian roads, small dents, cosmetic flaws, and expensive part replacements in aging cars don’t improve safety or resale. With high repair costs, scrappage laws, and falling value of old cars, the smarter choice is often to patch, ignore, or go aftermarket.
Before spending, always ask: How much life does my car have left, and how much will this repair add? If the answer is “not much,” save the money for your next car.
