After the house, the vehicle is people’s second most important personal asset. They rely on it for running daily errands, including going to work, going grocery shopping, taking their children to school, and traveling.
However, after many years of use, there will be a point in time when a vehicle starts to break down more often, decreasing its reliability. In this case, many drivers go back and forth with the decision of whether they should continue using their ride or sell it.
Unfortunately, people’s emotional attachment to their cars sometimes clouds their judgment, making it more difficult for them to make the decision and get rid of their vehicle. But no matter how emotionally connected you are with your ride, there are some crucial signs that indicate your car is no longer reliable and you need to dispose of it immediately.
To get you started, we have written the ultimate guide elaboration on five telltale signs you should watch out for that show it is time to say goodbye to your unreliable car.
Old age
Like many things in life, cars age too. After reaching a certain mileage, they begin to experience more frequent mechanical issues that reduce their reliability, performance, and efficiency. In this case, it is better to consider selling it, instead of wasting your time and money to repair it.
The best way to get rid of a junk car is to sell it to a local salvage yard, where it will be dismantled for its valuable parts and you will receive money in return.
For example, if you live in the Philly area, shop around for multiple salvage yards near you, or do your research online on “how to sell junk car Philadelphia” to get the best price for your clunker.
Increased maintenance and repair costs
It is well known that every car requires regular maintenance in order to be running smoothly. However, when maintenance starts to become more of a financial burden, meaning the costs seem to be increasing over time, then that should be a clear sign that it is time to get rid of your ride.
The same applies to repair expenses, which may begin to rise as your vehicle reaches its old age. While some of these repairs can be fixed quickly and for low costs, such as a paint job or broken tail lights, other more major issues such as engine failure will simply not be worth repairing.
Safety concerns
Safety concerns are another crucial sign that indicates you should get rid of your car immediately. The mechanical and technical issues your vehicle may be experiencing will not affect its performance and efficiency, but they will also put both your and your family’s life in danger.
Some signals you should look out for that show your car is no longer safe to drive are:
- Instrument and panel warning lights;
- Low transmission fluid levels;
- Brake issues;
- Worn-out tires and misaligned wheels.
Parts are expensive or hard to find
As time goes by, your car becomes increasingly obsolete which makes needed repairs a lot more difficult, especially when it comes to car parts. This is usually the case when a car company starts making major changes to one of its models, which will eventually cause it to phase out the tools and parts used in outdated car models; or worse, the company could stop producing your car model altogether, like Saturn did.
So, if your vehicle needs a car replacement and it is too expensive or you are unable to find it, then it may be time to start considering selling your car.
Changes in lifestyle
Even if your car is in good working order, there may be some life-changing events that can be a sign it is time to say goodbye to your ride. Maybe your family is getting bigger or you are moving further away from your job and need a more fuel-efficient vehicle, both of which are a sign that you need to get rid of your current car immediately.
Also, if you start using your ride less often than you used to because you take public transport to work or run your errands on foot, then selling it is a more appropriate option.
Photo by Jackson David from Unsplash
Final thoughts
Like many things in life, cars have a lifespan too. Knowing how to recognize their signs of old age can help you make an informed decision of whether it is time to sell it. For more help, refer to our post and read when you should say goodbye to your ride.
