It might cause you unease at the thought of selling your old car. After all, it’s paid off and it has been a companion of yours for years now. As you chow down on your lunch from Lean Kitchen, your spouse calls you saying the check engine light is back on in your car.
If this seems familiar, you certainly aren’t alone. We all have to part ways with our vehicles at some point, but how do we know what point that is? We’ve come up with 4 signs it might be time to sell your car.
1. Persistent Problems
Is your car constantly in and out of the auto shop? If so, it might be time to part ways with it. While vehicle issues aren’t that uncommon, you shouldn’t be frequently making trips to the auto mechanic. (If they know you on a first-name basis, that’s probably not a good sign!
There comes a point where repair fees add up to be more than the worth of your car. It’s not the wisest choice to continue pouring money into a vehicle that might not make it until next year. Instead, you can use what it would cost to repair your vehicle towards a nice down payment on a new car – one you can be certain of that will last years to come.
2. High Mileage
As a rule of thumb, most cars’ life expectancy is around 200,000 miles. If your beloved vehicle is reaching that mark, it may be time to trade it in or part it out. Understandably, most vehicles will experience more issues the more miles it racks up.
There are some vehicles, if regularly maintained, that can withstand high mileage. Every type of vehicle is different, but they will all break at some point. It’s best to get ahead of the game on this one. If your car has hundreds of thousands of miles racked up, it might be time to visit the dealership.
3. Your Family is Growing
Did you just welcome a little one to the family? If so, your old companion of a car might not be the best for your growing crew. You want to ensure safety and plenty of space for your newest addition.
There are plenty of affordable family vehicles on the market right now – both used and new – that are safe and spacious for a family. One of the best reasons to get a new car is when you have a child. It goes along with the territory of being a new parent!
4. It’s Not Fuel Efficient
Gas prices don’t seem to be going down anytime soon. With that in mind, consider how much you spend on gas for your vehicle. Older cars tend to be a lot less fuel efficient when it comes to newer models – especially if you’re considering purchasing an electric car.
If you find your car is only getting 18 miles per gallon, you’re spending far more than you should be at the gas pump. While a new car will cost you some money, you’ll be saving an enormous amount on gas. That’s a pretty excellent silver lining!
Article Submitted By Community Writer
