When is it time to change a car?
In the history of any car, sooner or later, there comes a moment when the owner decides to sell it in order to buy another – as a rule, a more modern and technically advanced model. However, among drivers, there is no consensus on when exactly it is time to change a car. In this article, we will figure out when it’s time to sell an old or junk car. With these tips, you can without any problems get cash for junk cars through an online quote.
Things to consider before selling a car
You may think about changing the car for a long time, but certain doubts may stop you. The factors listed below allow you to properly weigh the pros and cons and accept the right decision.
- Emotions.
Everything seems to be fine with your car. It serves properly, does not break, and performs all its automotive functions. But you just feel uncomfortable with it. You may not like many things: the color, the model, the sound, or maybe the glove box is small. You may want to consider switching vehicles for passenger convenience as well, as newer models offer a host of useful features for the convenience of all passengers as well as for carrying luggage. Emotions associated with the desire to improve the comfort of your life are a serious reason to sell the old one and buy a new one.
- Technique.
Something is always wrong with your car. And we are not talking about global repairs that may be required, for example, after an accident.
It’s about constant minor breakdowns. If you go to a service center on the next day off, but do not go away from town to take a rest, you are wasting money and time.
- Corrosion.
Vehicles with high mileage are more prone to rust, which destroys the mechanics of the car, such as suspension or brake lines. Even if rust began to appear only on the outside, this reduces the cost of the car.
Causes of corrosion:
- high humidity, frequent rains;
- air pollution;
- road chemicals;
- an accident or minor damage (for example, a car got used to a tree);
- manufacturing defects.
- Fuel and oil consumption.
Calculate how much money you spend on fuel and oil for your car. Maybe you should choose a more environmentally friendly car that consumes less gasoline?
What you need to pay attention to:
- you add oil almost every week,
- oil stains remain in the parking lot under your car,
- smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe.
- Purpose.
You bought a car when you were interested in hunting, but now the hobby is in the past, and you only need a car to shop and visit friends.
You once bought a prestige car because you liked the color or a brand, but now you’re tired of paying higher road taxes. Or you have the next addition to the family, and you need to look for a bigger car. Everything changes, and so do your priorities in life. Evaluate them and choose a new car: more compact or more spacious, for off-road or city trips, budget or status.
- Guarantee.
One of the most popular reasons for changing a car is when the warranty expires. Many car enthusiasts buy a new car, use it until the end of the warranty, and turn it into Trade-in in order to buy a new one later.
Such a scheme has the right to exist: you do not spend money on maintenance, but buy a new car every 2-3 years.
Main factors for decision making
If cars did not wear out and require repairs over time, they could be used much longer. But cars periodically break down, and after 2-3 years, the manufacturer’s warranty ends. From that moment on, all subsequent repairs will have to be paid from our own funds. And this is exactly what motorists want to avoid, who consider it necessary to sell a car 2-3 years after purchase.
On the other hand, when selling a car of this age, the owner incurs significant financial costs. Since any model, just leaving the salon, loses about 15% of its initial value. And so in subsequent years: every couple or three years of operation, a car becomes cheaper by another 10% -15% per year.
Why are these periods considered optimal? The fact is that in addition to the general technical guarantee for the car, as well as a guarantee for its paintwork, the manufacturer assumes warranty obligations for the period of corrosion of the body.
So, for cars from Korea and Japan, the duration of this type of warranty usually does not exceed 6-7 years, and for cars of European brands – it is from 10 to 12 years. In many cases, from these considerations, the car owner decides to sell the car when the car reaches a critical age.
Based on the above data, we can conclude that for wealthy car owners, the optimal period for replacing a car is the period of using it for up to 3 years. And the overwhelming majority of motorists can delay this event for 5-8 years after the purchase.
At the same time, much depends on the quality of car maintenance and its actual technical condition. If the machine often breaks down during the warranty period, then, of course, it is better to hurry to get rid of it.
In conditions when the car does not cause trouble for the owner in the first few years, it is already more difficult to decide to replace it only because of the ending warranty period or the inevitable increase in maintenance and repair costs.
The decision to replace the car with a new one can also be influenced by such things as prestige, replenishment in the family, moving to a country house, or simply the desire to please yourself with a new, more modern car.
Summary
There is no set time frame for when it’s time to sell your own car. However, there are some factors that you need to consider in order to better understand your wants and needs. If you decide to sell the car, then a reliable American junk car buyer, JunkCarsUs, will help you with it. The company buys vehicles in any condition at an affordable price.
Read Also: 4 Reasons to Choose an Extended Warranty For Your New Car
