Signs You Should Replace Your Car

You shouldn't wait until you don't have a car to buy a new one. There are cases where you should just read the signs on the wall and buy a replacement car if you never want to be without four wheels. Below are some of the telltale signs that mean it's time to replace your car.

High-Mileage

Although cars have different durability, all cars eventually become inoperable or unsafe to drive.  Therefore, the higher your car's mileage is, the more you should consider replacing it. Some cars can last as long as 200,000 miles before they become inoperable. Therefore, even if you have a reliable car that you have faithfully maintained, you should consider replacing it when it nears the 200,000-mile mark.

Increasingly Expensive Maintenance

You should also consider replacing your car if it has become expensive to service. All cars need regular maintenance, but those that are nearing the end of their useful life require more maintenance than others. Maybe your car keeps breaking down and requires frequent expensive repairs, but still doesn't seem to run with adequate power. In such a case, you can upgrade the car and use some of the money towards the car loan payments.

Safety Issues

Even if your car is not terribly old, you should consider replacing it if the car has become unsafe to drive. Maybe the car was involved in a serious accident that makes it unsafe to drive even after repairs. In such cases, the repairs necessary to make the car safe again could even equal the car in value.

Depreciated Value

Cars lose value with age; thus, old cars (with a few exceptions) are not that valuable. Now, repairing such cars, especially if the damage requires an expensive repair, such as a transmission rebuild, doesn't make financial sense to fix the car. You can just scrap the car, top up a little money, and buy a new car.

Available Budget

Ultimately, your ability to afford a new car will be the major determining factor when it comes to replacing your current car. This is particularly true if you don't have a steady source of income. In such cases, it's best to replace your car the minute you suspect it is nearing the end of its useful life and you have the purchase or down payment money. Otherwise, you might wait too long, and the car might stall on you when you don't have the replacement money.

If you find yourself in any of these situations, look for cars for sale so that you're not without a vehicle.