Too many kms to fix?

Is it worth getting a fix done on a 2012 golf that has 205,000kms, needs a timing belt, and has the check engine light on? With my daily commute, i’ve calculated equivalently priced cars would cost roughly $700 more in fuel per year—and be horrible to drive.

In five years i’ll be retired and won’t need the fuel economy… maybe this car can get me there?

I would get the fix ( and that timing belt)

might want to know why the check engine light is on.

Technically, there is no upper limit.

Bear in mind that the check engine light is on for a reason, and you will have to fix that reason before they will do the emissions fix. And do the timing belt.

Personally I'd let them buy it back. If you like the way the Golf is to drive, a new Mk7 Golf with a gasoline engine is not "horrible to drive" and your buyback amount would probably cover most of that new car.

Test-drive a new (Skyactiv) Mazda 3, too. They're not "horrible to drive". For that matter, neither is the new Honda Civic. Both are pretty economical.