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5 Signs it’s Time to Replace your Car

5 Signs its Time to Replace your Car BMW 3 Series G20 Facelift

Replacing your car can be an expensive thing, and so it’s not something to consider lightly. But there does arrive a time when it doesn’t make financial sense to persevere with your existing vehicle. Driving an unreliable car means that you run the risk of having it break down. This might mean an expensive repair bill, but it might also lead to consequences in your professional life, too. If you can’t get to that job interview because your car isn’t drivable, then the long-term costs can be catastrophic.

So, when should you replace? Let’s take a look at five key signs that the time is right.

Repairs exceed the car’s value

If you’re faced with a repair bill that’s approaching the amount you’d get from selling the car outright, then it’s time to replace. It might be that the next bill is even larger, in which case you’d need to scrap the vehicle. In the long-run, that’s not cost-effective. You don’t need to spend a lot to find something high-quality, even if you’re in a big city. You can pick up a used Mercedes in London, for example, for a reasonable sum.

The odometer approaches six digits

While there do exist some models that will happily push past the 100,000 mile mark, this is the exception, rather than the rule. In fact, many cars won’t get this far. Research the car you’re driving, find out how many miles you can typically expect from it, and plan your sale accordingly.

You’re worried about safety

If you feel like you’re not safe in your car, then it’s time to sell. Even if you don’t run into any problems, you might not feel comfortable when you’re in the driver’s seat. This will lead to you second-guessing your driving decisions, and generally not having a good time behind the wheel. Don’t take any chances – just sell it and move on.

It doesn’t meet the emissions standards

In the UK, there are regulations restricting the amount of particulates your exhaust pipe can put out. This is tested at your MOT every year. This is normally done using a meter, though in the case of very old vehicles it’s done by sight.

Even if your car passes the overall emissions test, you might find that you’re prevented from driving through certain clean-air zones without paying a charge. If you’re regularly driving through these zones, you’ll want to factor the cost into your decision to upgrade.

Your needs have changed

If you experience a change in lifestyle, then you might want to alter your vehicle to reflect it. For example, you might find that you’re working from home more often, and no-longer need the gas-guzzling estate that’s parked on your drive. You might also have started a family, which demands more space at the rear of the car. In either case, it doesn’t make sense to put up with an imperfect solution: trade in.

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Written by Liviu Marcus

I am passionate about cars, computers, and technology. These things are part of my everyday life. I like to do research on everything that exists in the automotive industry in order to share with you the most important information in this field. Many nights were lost for this, but I have no regrets as long as everything I do is a passion, the passion for cars and everything related to them.

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