In an ideal world, your car would stay in as-new condition for its entire lifespan. However, every driver knows that damage, wear, and faults inevitably come with time on any type of vehicle.
Keeping on top of regular care and checks will help to prolong your car’s lifespan, but only up to a certain point. Even the most meticulously maintained cars eventually start to break down beyond repair.
Whether you’ve had your beloved motor for years or you’re just looking for an excuse to buy a new set of wheels, it’s worth knowing a few sure signs that your car should be retired soon.
Signs that your car needs replacing
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It fails its MOT
Motorists with ageing vehicles dread the annual MOT test.
Waiting to find out whether your vehicle has passed can feel nerve-wracking, since the test determines if your car needs urgent and expensive repairs. If your car fails with a ‘dangerous’ fault, you won’t be able to drive it home until it has been repaired by a professional and re-tested.
Even if your car passes its MOT, there could still be several advisories for you to sort out in due course. But any major defects prompt a failure, so getting the right level of work done might cost you more than you’d expect. Long-term, it might be better value to buy a different car if yours fails its MOT.
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You don’t feel safe
Driving your car should never be something that worries you. If you or your passengers no longer feel safe when you’re getting from A to B, that’s a clear sign that you should start looking for another vehicle.
You should never lose confidence in your car’s ability to get you there safely, but when things start to go wrong, you might feel worried. From a shaky steering wheel to an overheating engine, there are plenty of concerning signs that should be addressed.
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It’s not economical
Fuel-efficient vehicles are the future, especially in urban areas. From April to June 2023, there were at least 83,000 zero-emission vehicles registered in the UK, an increase of almost 50% from the previous year.
If you’re living in or around London, you’ll be all-too-familiar with the new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) regulations – so you might need to replace an old diesel car. It’s important to choose a car with eco-credentials that meet the requirements for ULEZ compliance.
But choosing a fuel-efficient car doesn’t need to mean breaking the bank. You might be surprised to learn that plenty of used BMW cars can be ULEZ-compliant, including the 323i, 325i and 330i petrol engines.
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The mileage is getting high
Even the best-kept vehicle will eventually succumb to the effects of driving lots of miles over the years. Some mechanics and dealers follow the rule of thumb that for every 20,000 miles added to your car’s total mileage, it might lose around 20% of its value.
For older cars and cheap runarounds, this might not be problematic. But if you bought your car as an investment and you’re still enjoying it, it’s crucial to keep it in its prime. You might secure a much better deal when you part-exchange your car if it’s in great condition with a lower-than-expected figure on the clock.
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It doesn’t suit your lifestyle
Finally, there are practical reasons why you might need to change your car too. For example, a growing family will demand a larger car by default, especially if you’re driving around in a supermini or a city car with three doors.
Likewise, if you’ve been promoted to a more senior role at work, you might be on the lookout for something flashy and smart. These reasons are all valid, so don’t hold back if you think you’re ready for something new on your driveway.
