Calling It Quits: How To Know When To Buy A New Car

Buying a car is like falling in love; you’re introduced to a vehicle that catches your eye, you feel drawn to it, and it just feels right.

You take the car for a little drive around the block, check that the foundations are ok, see if it is the right car for you – and you, the right driver for it. Then, you commit, sign on the dotted line, and make happy memories together that you will treasure for years. Your car will give you everything it has – and in return, you will spend hours, days, or even months putting in the work to keep your vehicle happy.

But sooner or later, some cracks inevitably begin to show. Some of these issues may be fixable, some may not. And eventually, your car may be taking more from you than it gives back in return. Sure, you can strip out the engine, put in a new one, and change the body, but would you be left with the same car you fell in love with?

As they say, all good things must come to an end. And sometimes, you need to learn when to say goodbye. But how do you know?

In this article, we will look at the telltale signs that it is time to move on.

 

1. Your Car Needs Constant Repairs

If you’re in a relationship, and you find yourselves patching up the same old issues with a marriage counsellor again and again, only for them to resurface, or new problems to keep coming up unexpectedly, you might end up wondering if this is really the right relationship for you.

Similarly, if you find yourself spending more time repairing your car than enjoying driving it, or stressing over insurmountable bills and unexpected breakdowns, you should ask yourself if your relationship with your car has run its course.

If this is a rare issue, these problems may be fixable, for example, a flat battery, damaged clutch cables or simply running out of engine oil. However, if this becomes a repeated problem, it may be time to call it quits with your old car.

Like any healthy relationship, you should get out what you put in – if you are pouring endless time and money into taking your car to the garage or fixing it yourself, and the issues are causing you stress, it simply may not be worth the trouble.

 

2. Your Car Is Always Thirsty

Some relationships can drain your energy, your patience, and your time. Similarly, a fuel-thirsty car that drains your bank account can easily damage your relationship with it.

If your car is becoming less fuel-efficient and needs constant refilling, while not delivering the same performance as it once did, there may be an issue with your fuel pump. But getting your fuel pump repaired is not cheap – it can cost up to £400, and sometimes more.

Sometimes, it’s better to just cut your losses while you’re ahead to prevent yourself from over-investing in the long run. This will ultimately save you time and money – and hey, you might just find yourself a more efficient model.

 

3. Your Insurance Premium Is Getting More Expensive

Have you ever had friends or family who have told you they don’t like your partner, even though you can’t see why? Sometimes, other people can see what we’re blind to. And it’s the same with your car.

If your insurance premium keeps rising, there is a good chance that your insurer sees something you don’t. This may be an increased risk of breakdown, or higher costs that cause your vehicle to become a liability. A third-party is always good for giving another perspective, so take note of your insurance premiums.

 

4. It Has High Mileage

If your relationship has lasted for years, and you’ve gone far together, there is a good chance that it will last. Sadly, the same does not go for your car.

If you’ve driven over 75,000 miles in your car, your risk of experiencing a breakdown only gets higher. And once your mileage has exceeded 100,000 miles, sadly, your car is living on borrowed time.

It will start experiencing a wide range of problems, from issues with the spark plugs to corrosion from coolant fluid. So it’s better to quit while you’re ahead and start looking for a newer vehicle.

 

5. Your Car Is Toxic

If your relationship is toxic, you should leave immediately. And if your car is toxic, you should leave immediately too.

Metaphors aside, all cars in the UK must meet the Euro 6 emissions standards set by the European Parliament and Commission to be considered roadworthy. This ensures that your car does not exceed the limit of CO2 emissions. If your car emits too much CO2, and there are no alterations you can make to reduce the level of CO2 your car emits, you are not legally allowed to drive it on UK roads.

Some technologies are available to reduce CO2 emissions, but these are usually expensive, and it may cost more to make alterations to your car than it would be to simply replace it.

 

6. Your Car Feels Unsafe

Whether it’s a relationship, or your vehicle, you should always trust your gut if you feel unsafe in any way.

Your car may have red flags, such as missing basic safety features or being unreliable, or something might just feel off. In either case, no matter how much joy your car (or your partner) brings into your life, it is just not worth risking your life for.

Find a safer option, and don’t look back.

 

7. Your Lifestyle Has Changed

Change is a part of life. We all grow and change, and sometimes, people and their cars are just no longer compatible.

For instance, perhaps you need to commute further distances, have more family members to move around, or maybe you need more boot space?

While it can be sad to say goodbye to a beloved vehicle, if it no longer meets your needs, it is time to make your peace and move on.