The only thing worse than having a broken car is finding out the repairs will cost more than you expected. If you know your mechanic is trustworthy and the estimate is fair, it is time to review your options. If you cannot afford the bill or just want to make sure the expense is worth it, there are some things to look at closely.

Before agreeing to the repair job, consider:

• Reviewing the value of your car – If your car is only worth $1,000 and the repair will cost you $2,000, you’re probably throwing good money after bad. It might be wiser to use that repair money to put down on another vehicle.

• Checking into your payment options – Some garages do offer payment plans when bills run too high. If your car is worth the investment, ask to see if your garage does have any type of program available.

• Asking your mechanic’s opinion – If your mechanic is one you have had for a while, get his or her opinion. It might be possible to make your car road ready again for less by using used parts or even just doing the necessities of a repair now and finishing off some work later. Your mechanic might also give you a frank opinion on whether it is worth repairing your car or not.

A huge repair estimate is just insult added on top of injury when your car is in the shop. Unfortunately, the estimates are often accurate and fair. You do, however, still have some options that might make the sticker shock a little less painful.