Repairing an old car may make sense if you can get the job done cheaply. But before you shell out your cash, be sure to consider these 13 signs you may want to put your money toward a new car instead.
Owning a car is almost always a financial liability. Even if you drive for Uber, chances are that once you add up the costs of insurance, ownership and fuel, any earnings you make will barely cover the total, all-in costs. Factor in depreciation, and a car is just an anchor weighing you down financially. That's why if you do own a car, it is often tempting to keep it running with repairs that may be enabling it to be on the road past its best before date.
Most cars today are built with a maintenance-free mindset. Defects are typically identified and corrected before the car hits the lot, and once future defects are found, the car is recalled and the repair completed free of charge. Well, that's the ideal, anyway. There is a point - and it will vary for different vehicles - where a car is beyond repair. Typically, that will be a long ways down the line after you've made your purchase, but nonetheless, that day will come.
While age is a key factor, here is a list of 13 signs your car is beyond repair, and you should instead start planning on a new vehicle.
1. It is more than 10 years old
For some vehicles, a swift decline will start after 5 years, for others it won't happen until they hit 20. But as a rule of thumb, if you have a car that is 10 years old or older, that's a pretty good sign you should seriously be looking at a replacement. Repairs you make to a 10 year old car will likely start to be almost like a chain reaction, where as one thing goes, another is soon to follow. Given all parts on a car age at the same time, it should be little wonder this is the number 1 sign on this list.
2. Rust has eaten away part of the frame
Like other negative things in life, rust happens. The more severe the climate of your residence, the more severe the effect will be on your car. Once rust starts, it takes off like a wildfire - spreading throughout your vehicle. And while rust looks unattractive on a car, it is not a significantly negative factor until it begins to affect the frame of your vehicle. You car's frame is a fundamental structure, and if it is compromised, so too is your safety. And while a compromised frame can have catastrophic impact, the more likely impact is when the frame is rusty in areas where you would normally jack the vehicle up to repair a tire. Coincidentally, this is where you are most likely to experience frame rust. In this case, a flat tire may be a repair that cascades into something much more significant, once the car is hoisted.
3. One repair identifies another
If you take your older car in for new brakes, your mechanic may discover that there is a whole plethora of nasty going on down there. If you find your car has add-on repairs beyond what you took it in for, its probably a sign that its time to look for something new.
4. You're Ignoring Small Problems
If your car starts making a loud clunking noise and the check engine light comes on, you'll probably go straight to the mechanic to get it fixed. But what about the electric trunk opener? Or the CD player? Smaller things may be going on your car, and you reason that they aren't that important so they go unrepaired. But they do count too, and if they become numerous, they add up to tell you its a sign the car is hanging on by a thread.
5. It is Woefully Inefficient
After 10 years, things change in the world of automotive technology. Right now, that's especially true for fuel efficiency. 10 years ago, it would have been difficult to reasonably purchase an all-electric car. Today, however, there are many choices and some have seriously dealt with the issue of range. You might be able to repair an old car to keep it running, but by doing so, it might be running you to the poor house. If your car is chewing up too much fuel, it might be a sign its time to look for something newer and more efficient.
6. It Lacks Basic Features
10 years ago, you probably purchased a car with power windows, power steering and maybe even a CD player that could play CDs with MP3 songs burned on it. But Bluetooth connectivity? I doubt it. Built in GPS? Unlikely. Remote starting? Please. Cars of today have evolved their creature comforts and if you cling to an old car, you're probably missing out on the enjoyment of car ownership.
7. Its Not The Ideal Shape
Today, consumers have really settled on SUVs or CUVs as their vehicle of choice. But 10 years ago, the sedan was much more common. In fact 10 years ago, there was a much wider selection of minivans, where today many manufacturers have discontinued them from their lineup. If your 10 year old car is a sedan or minivan, it may be time to join the crowd and trade up to an SUV and see if the driving experience is superior.
8. Its Styling Is Dated
This sign shouldn't really matter. After all, the core function of a car is to get you from point A to point B as safely and efficiently as possible. However, to many drivers - perhaps even all - looks matter. Driving a car that casts an image of you as out of touch with the times may be wearing on your emotions in ways you don't realize. One thing that may help evidence this is to take a test drive in a nice new car. If you like the feeling of how you believe people are looking at you, maybe its a sign you need an upgrade.
9. It is Leaking or Burning Oil
Your car can have many parts fail while still remaining roadworthy - or at least road-capable. However, one part that can't fail is your engine (ok, ok, an engine is many parts, but you get the drift). If you are burning oil - or leaking any fluid for that matter - its probably a sign that you need to begin the search for a replacement.
10. It Lacks Safety Features
Similar to #6, newer cars have standard safety features that cars 10 years ago didn't even have as options. Beyond that however, if your old car has a tear in a seatbelt or if there is reason to believe an airbag has been compromised, that's a really clear sign its time to get rid of it. Your car is dangerous, not because of how you drive necessarily, but because accidents can occur at any time. Taking a chance with your safety is just not worth it.
11. Its Value Doubles With Every Fill Up
If you can tangibly measure the value of your car by how much fuel is in the tank, its probably a sign you need to look for a replacement. The value of your car is based on many factors, and if the car market is telling you its not worth much money, its probably because it has many serious faults - some of which may be compromising your safety. Part of the reason you own an inexpensive car may be due to your financial constraints, but you should take a good look at your car and determine if a cheap car is worth the risks. If you can't afford to replace it, that may be a sign you need to consider other options - such as public transit, cycling or walking.
12. You Fear Travelling For Long Distances
This sign isn't really measurable - its all about your comfort level. But if you don't think you could drive your car to a destination that is 2 hours away, that's probably a pretty telling sign that the car is ready to be replaced. Driving to a far away destination should involve planning for logistics of your trip and what you'll do once you arrive. It should not require planning for what to do if your car breaks down.
13. You Constantly Hear Shake, Rattle and Roll, But Not the Version By Bill Haley & The Comets
New cars tend to have a nice tight fit and finish. But over time, all cars begin to have new noises as they age. Parts begin to separate, or even rust apart. And although cars are not intended to be as quiet as a mausoleum, there comes a point where the addition of new shakes, rattles and rolls can be distracting. If you are spending more time thinking about where a rattle is coming from than you do about actually driving, its probably a sign that you need a new car.
So there you have it: 13 Signs Your Car Is Beyond Repair. You can choose to ignore all 13 and keep your older car running, but eventually at least one of these signs is sure to catch up with you. Before you are left hanging with a broken down car at the side of the road, you may want to be proactive and start your car search today.
What about your signs that a car is beyond repair? Do you have any to add to the list? Have you ever ignored one of these signs? What was the result and how did you deal with it?