Six signs telling you to replace your car

For many, a car is an integral part of their daily lives, but sometimes, even the best relationships have to end, and that can also mean letting go of your one and only car. So how do you know when it is time to let go? Carmudi has listed the six signs that are telling you to move on and consider another car love.

A car’s shelf life

Like every item that undergoes wear and tear, a car, too, has a shelf life. Some experts argue that it should be anywhere between 10 and 15 years, while others insist that it should be based on its mileage; 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers) for older ‘60s to ‘80s car models. Many car owners, however, declare that their cars can still run between 150,000 miles  (241,000 kilometers) and 200,000 miles (320,000 kilometers).

However, these statistics are for cars that are well maintained and have not been involved in any major incidents. Several signals that will tell you that it’s time to replace your car are as follows:

Rust and body damages

The mortal enemy of any car is rust. Not only does it spread like a disease once it has settled on one of your car parts, it can also never disappear. Rust and its subsequent damage to your car’s body can also lessen your safety features. It also decreases the value of your car and is a significant indicator that it’s time for a replacement. To know if your car is having this problem, check for the common breeding grounds of rust such as your fenders and wheels.

Increasing gas expenses

If you have had your car for more than a decade now, chances are the price of oil ten years ago was cheaper than today. Not to mention that its fuel efficiency is also far less than those of today’s low-fuel consuming cars (ex: Suzuki Celerio fuel consumption= 34.3 km/L). If the cost of filling up is putting a hole in your wallet, you may be spending more keeping your old car.

To better understand if your car has become a guzzler, do your homework and note of its fuel efficiency rating every time you travel. Multiply this by how much its fuel costs today and you will get how much you are spending. This figure could also help you if you end up shopping for a new car. If getting a new car (with lesser fuel consumption) is cheaper than keeping your current car, then it is time to swap.

Availability of parts

Car manufacturers usually share platforms, but there are some car models that were discontinued after a short stint. These car models usually have a few available spare parts left in the after sales market. If your car’s manufacturer is not producing that particular model, then it may be time to replace your car. For starters, if your car needs repairs it needs compatible parts and if this is not supplied, your car may end up in your garage until you can find a spare.

Another type of car that needs readily available spare parts is a high-performing car. Because of its complicated engineering, it can operate at its peak or not at all, based on whether it is properly tuned or not.

Major repairs

Car repairs can easily dry out your pocket, especially if they are occurring quite frequently. If you are always experiencing problems with your engine, transmission or even serious damage to your frame, then it’s time for a cost analysis. To know if buying a new car or repairing a car is the route for you, check websites such as the Kelly Blue Book where they do cost comparison of both scenarios. Carmudi PH has also made a post on refurbishing an old car or buying a new one.

If you are still undecided, remember that a car is not an investment (unless you own a rare edition or a vintage car that you don’t use regularly). The value of cars usually depreciates, because of several factors. Every time you spend on your car, you must at least have a rough estimate of how much repair money to date you have spent on it. If it is just about the same amount as its initial selling price, then it is better to buy a new one.

Practicality and lifestyle

Perhaps the two main reasons why many replace their old car is because of a change in lifestyle and the issue of practicality. If you had your car back when you were still a college student and now you have a family of more than five, then it’s time for a new car; an SUV perhaps. You may also just come to a realization that you need a car with more cargo space for your camping equipment.

In terms of practicality, you may find your area to have more flood incidents than usual. One quick solution would be to replace your car with a model with a higher ground clearance and fording depth.  Or if you move to a new residence with a smaller garage, you may also opt to get a new car with smaller dimensions.

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When you are dumping an old car, make sure that you make the right choice. While some may find nostalgia in them, they can also be a source of greater road risk and greater financial spending, as discussed in this post.