At the end of February, my roommate and I bought an old diesel car together and split the cost 50/50. It was very cheap and in poor condition (470,000 km, broken parts, taped antenna, etc.) but we just needed something basic to use for about 10 months.

Last week, the engine overheated while I was driving — one of the pipes between the engine and water tank failed. Smoke came out, and the car stopped on the highway. I got it towed to a mechanic, who said the engine is dead. He confirmed it wasn’t my fault but just wear and tear. He also said maybe the engine could’ve been saved if I had seen the temperature rise and pulled over immediately — but added that we’d have had more engine problems soon anyway due to the car’s condition.

I admit I didn’t notice the temperature spike in time, but I was driving in a speed-restricted area, focused on my speed. Minutes after leaving that zone, the car overheated. I tried to explain this to her, and said I’d pay her something — just not the full amount — since we both used the car, it was expected to break, and the mechanic confirmed it wasn’t completely my fault.

She said it was my fault for not noticing the temperature and that she always watches that gauge, so she would’ve saved the car. Then she said I should either: • Pay for a full engine replacement myself if we want to keep the car (which costs more than the car and mechanic said most of the other parts in the car were in the same condition as that pipe), or • Give her back her full half of the original cost.

I proposed a fairer solution: • We sell the car as-is, and she keeps all of it. • If the sale price is less than what she paid, I’d pay her the difference up to her half.

She refused, saying I used the car more and this should be treated like a business loss — I should cover it all. I agree that I used the car more than her and drove long distance twice (max 60km one way) but we initially used the car together more than I used it alone and she was the one driving it all those times.

I also suggested we check how much the broken pipe would’ve cost to replace, then subtract half that amount from what I owe her, since she agreed the pipe was the trigger. She only agreed if we split the cost 80% (me) and 20% (her), which I think is unfair.

It sucks for both of us — I get it. But it was a junky car from the start, we both agreed on buying it, and we both used it and I shouldn’t be blamed to drive around with a car we bought to drive.

So… AITA for not wanting to pay her the full amount?

Edit: I’m going to pay her anyway just asking if AITA because I don’t want to pay the full amount paid in the beginning.