A car is a depreciating asset, so it makes sense to drive it for as long as possible to ensure that you get maximum value for what you paid for it. However, you may get to the point where you’re left with no other option but to upgrade your car. After all, even a car from the most reliable and expensive brand might not last forever.
But after using your vehicle for a prolonged duration, you might feel less inclined to replace it with a better one if you’ve formed an emotional attachment to it. With that said, what should you be looking for to know whether it’s the right time to replace your vehicle? If you’re asking yourself such a question, read on to discover the signs telling you it’s now time to replace your beloved car.
Your vehicle is no longer dependable
The worst thing to experience as a vehicle owner is making sure your car is well maintained at all times, only for it to break down frequently. This can be very frustrating, especially when the car stops running just as you’re leaving home for work or traveling at night. As a result, you’ll need to spend extra on having your car repaired while simultaneously suffering from the stress of the entire encounter. All this may eventually take a toll on you, making your car ownership exhausting rather than beneficial. Therefore, you should think about replacing your car when it starts to break down a lot more often than you’d want.
This is despite the occasional breakdown being acceptable—the general rule to observe is that your car shouldn’t break down more than two times each year. Otherwise, you’ll end up dealing with costly repairs and not being able to use your car for extended periods. Have a peek here to get a better idea of the vehicle options you can look into.
Some of the major breakdowns that affect a car’s reliability include severe transmission or engine malfunction and issues with exhaust systems or radiators. If such breakdowns happen every two, three, or four months, then it’s time to upgrade your car.
Excessive fuel consumption
Over the last few years, the cost of fuel has been constantly on the rise. When you combine this with the increased traffic in most major cities globally, you might find that you’re spending a considerable sum of money on gas. If you’re experiencing this, it might be a clear sign that it’s time to purchase a more fuel-efficient vehicle. In general, the age of a car doesn’t significantly affect its fuel economy. With proper maintenance, you can keep the gas mileage of your vehicle in check. But because of their design, some older car models are less fuel-efficient than newer ones. Therefore, you end up using a lot of fuel while on the road, and this will greatly hurt your finances in the long run.
Serious cosmetic damage
While a car’s primary function is to transport you from one point to another, you also need to be mindful of how it looks. After all, you don’t want your friends or family to be ashamed of using or being inside your vehicle due to its unappealing or dilapidated appearance.
If you notice that the problem has gotten out of hand, then the time has come for you to buy a new car and save yourself the embarrassment of being seen driving a jalopy. In extreme cases, the cosmetic damage might weaken the car’s structural integrity, reducing its ability to absorb shocks in the case of an accident.
Emission failure
Due to the increasing levels of global warming, many governments worldwide have taken measures to curb the emission of toxic gases into the environment. Such policies have prompted many individuals to have their cars get tested regularly to check if their vehicle’s emissions are within acceptable levels. Old cars that aren’t classified as antique or classic cars don’t even qualify for an emissions test. This is because they aren’t equipped with the right technologies or features to pass today’s emission standards. But if your vehicle isn’t old enough to be exempt from testing yet it often has to be repaired to pass emissions tests, then it’s time to think about investing in a new car. Failing an emissions test isn’t an issue you should worry about when using newer models. They come with advanced ‘drive clean’ technologies ensuring that they’re not causing harm to the environment.
The vehicle has inadequate space
The need to change your car can also be brought about by changes in your lifestyle rather than issues with the vehicle itself. For instance, having a child means you need a car with more space to accommodate your growing family without compromising safety and comfort. This is because more people mean there’s less space, which could lead to unpleasant rides and cause the vehicle to be overloaded. If such a lifestyle change does happen, the best thing would be to invest in a bigger car as soon as possible. This way, you and your family can have nothing but happy memories in your vehicle as you go on all kinds of journeys together.
Outdated safety features
Your safety should be at the top of your list of priorities while on the road. If you overlook this, then you’re putting yourself and your loved ones at risk since you never know when an accident might occur. Therefore, you need to have your car regularly tested to gauge its safety ratings. If your car has poor safety ratings, this is a clear indication that you should consider replacing it. In addition, older vehicles often lack advanced features found in newer cars meant to improve the passengers’ safety. Such features include:
- Auto emergency brake
- Electronic stability control
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rearview cameras
- Active brake assistance
- Forward collision alert
- Side airbags
- Lane departure warning
With such features, you can avoid a possible accident and safeguard everyone in the vehicle from serious harm. If your car doesn’t have them, it would be prudent to buy one that does in order for you to have a safer driving experience.
Takeaway
While holding onto your car forever makes financial sense, this isn’t always possible. However, it’s also normal to be unsure when you have to figure out whether upgrading your car and getting a new one is the right decision to make. If you’re feeling that way right now, you can use this guide to determine the next step you should take. Also, if you don’t want to worry about your vehicle at all, you can read Hyrecar blog to get knowledge about the pros and cons of car rental.