10 Signs You Need a New Car | A Wagonex Guide

Recognising the signs that it’s time to replace your vehicle can have significant benefits. Upgrading sooner minimises maintenance costs, avoids increasing inefficiency and goes a long way towards protecting the resale value of your current vehicle.

So here are 10 signs that you need a new car…

Frequent breakdowns can be a sign that it’s time for a new car. Constant repairs can be costly and make it difficult to rely on your vehicle. According to the AA, breakdowns are most typically caused by:

• A faulty battery
• Damaged tyres and wheels
• Issues with the diesel particulate filter (DPF)
• Engine oil problems
• Starter motor problems
• Alternator faults (issues with supplying electricity to be stored in a vehicle’s battery)
• Engine overheating

If your car breaks down every few months, or even more frequently, it might be time to start looking for a new car. Driving a newer car means you’ll have something safer and more dependable to drive, saving you both trouble and money in the long run. 

2. High Mileage 

Once a vehicle passes 75,000 miles on the clock, the risk of breaking down increases significantly, and this risk continues to rise with each additional mile. By the time you reach the 100,000 mile mark, wear and tear may lead to potential issues with the engine, transmission, suspension, and steering. It's worth noting that some manufacturers are renowned for producing vehicles with that last longer in terms of mileage, so choosing brands  known for their durability could help ease worries. Nevertheless, if your car has exceeded 100,000 miles, it might be wise to consider investing in a new one, particularly if you haven't maintained it well over the years. 

3. Your car no longer meets the emissions standards

Post-Brexit, newly manufactured cars need to meet the Euro 6 emissions standards set by the European Parliament and Commission. 

Older vehicles that don’t meet the emissions requirements can still be used on the roads, but there may be a charge to drive in some areas. These areas include clean air zones (CAZ) in major UK cities like Birmingham, Bristol, and Edinburgh as well as London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ). For more information on where you may be charged to drive, you can check the UK government website. 

If you are regularly driving through a clean air zone with an older petrol or diesel car, it may benefit you to swap to a newer car.

4. Safety concerns

If you feel unsafe in your car because it’s unreliable or lacks safety features, it may be time to invest in a safer car. Newer cars on the market often come with a wealth of safety features that can include rear-view cameras, blind-spot monitoring, pre-collision technology and electronic stability control. 

Many modern cars also offer additional safety features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and safety exit assist. Exploring the options of a newer car equipped with advanced safety technologies could help provide the peace of mind you deserve on the road.

One of the major signs it may be time for a new car is changes in your circumstances, such as a growing family. We appreciate these changes can be hard to predict, but at Wagonex, we understand that life is dynamic and so are your needs. That's why we offer car subscriptions that give you the freedom to swap your vehicle to adapt to changes in your life. Whether your family is growing, your commute is changing, or your lifestyle is evolving, our flexible subscription service ensures you always have the right car for your needs. This flexibility is especially valuable for growing families, as it provides the freedom to change your car as frequently as every month, without being tied down to a long-term commitment.

6. Age of your vehicle

Over time, wear and tear inevitably leads to mechanical issues and safety concerns. As components deteriorate, your car's performance gradually diminishes, affecting its reliability on the road. The extent of this damage can vary depending on the vehicle's usage and maintenance over the years. If you feel like wear and tear is getting the better of your car, it may be time to consider upgrading to a newer, more reliable vehicle to ensure your safety and peace of mind on the road.

7. Resale value

The resale value of a car naturally decreases for multiple reasons including mileage and the availability of newer models with more advanced features. 

As a car ages, depreciation will cause an inevitable decrease in its value, which can combine with rising maintenance costs to the point that repair charges exceed the value of the car itself. This could be a signal that it might be time to consider investing in a new vehicle for both financial and practical reasons.

Find out more about how depreciation affects a car’s value. 

Newer vehicles often come equipped with cutting-edge technology as standard. This can include automated safety features and advanced driver assistance, such as self-parking and traffic jam assist. These newer features can make driving less stressful and reduce drivers' tiredness.

If you feel as if you're missing out on the latest technological advancements, it may be time for a new car.

9. Your car insurance premium keeps increasing 

As your car gets older, the higher the chances are of it breaking down. As a result, your insurance provider may start seeing your car as an increasing liability and may increase the premium you need to pay to insure the car.

If your insurance keeps increasing,  it might be time to trade your car in for a newer model so that you don’t have to worry as much about the increasing cost of your bills. 

However, in the meantime you can use insurance comparison sites, like Compare The Market, to compare insurance deals which will help you ensure that you're choosing a cost-effective deal.

Sometimes, a simple change of heart prompts the desire for a new car. So, if you’ve been eyeing up another car, then now’s as good a time as any!

Car Subscription is an easy way to drive a petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric car without the commitment of owning or leasing. What’s more, a lot of the concerns we’ve listed above can be eased with a car subscription. 

Every Wagonex subscription includes: 

• A fully refundable deposit that tends to be lower than those associated with leasing and other types of finance
• Roadside assistance, road tax, maintenance and servicing as standard
• The freedom to swap your car throughout the subscription period 
• The ability to cancel or extend your subscription at any time

This means you don't have to worry about safety, lifestyle changes or being behind with technology as as you can swap vehicles and always drive the latest models.

At Wagonex, we also give you the option to get a personalised insurance quote as part of the journey to make sure your vehicle is covered. If you’d prefer to arrange your own insurance, that’s an option too!

Take a look at our available vehicles now.