Saying goodbye to your much-loved motor is never easy. Whether it is your first car that you have been cruising around in for too long or a luxury 4×4 you saved and saved for, all cars will eventually need to be upgraded.
Government legislation on vehicles is changing as well, meaning it might benefit you to trade in your old car. Carbon taxes could see the cost of driving petrol and diesel raise significantly and from 2030 there will be a ban on selling new fossil-fuel powered cars in the UK.
You might be considering buying new or finding quality used cars for sale. If you are still unsure whether you need to upgrade or not, here are our five top signs it is time to say goodbye to your wheels.
You are starting to feel unsafe
Your brakes may be feeling a little less responsive or the dashboard is flashing warnings you have never seen before. Safety for you and your passengers should always be your priority. If you are feeling unsafe, it is time to upgrade your car. Especially in Winter, it is vital to feel safe in your own car and to trust its ability to handle adverse weather.
The insurance cost is rising
No one wants to see their bills get bigger. Older cars, with their long lists of mechanical problems, are often the most expensive to insure. If you are noticing your premiums increasing year-on-year, it is a sure sign your car is getting out of date. Even though upgrading your car will be a big hit at the time, it will help to save you money in the long run.
You visit your mechanic too often
If you are yearly MOT is not quite keeping your car ticking over, consider trading it in for a new car. An efficient vehicle should not be in the garage too often. If you are seeing your mechanic more frequently it is a sign you need to let your car go.
The ride is not as comfortable as it used to be
When your car’s interior starts looking a bit shabby, even after you have cleaned it, you could do with an upgrade. It is important to pay attention to ride comfort too. Bouncing over potholes with an ancient suspension system can do you some real damage. It can make driving long distances a pain too.
Your miles-per-gallon are at an all-time low
Fuel efficiency, or the lack thereof, is a clear indicator you should retire your car. Miles-per-gallon, the number of miles you get per gallon of fuel, drops significantly in older vehicles and will cost you a lot of money in the long run.