You’re probably not going to wake up one day and suddenly decide it’s time to get rid of your car - it’s usually a slower process than that. You’ll start to get a bit frustrated with it here and there, or perhaps you think it’s costing more to maintain than it’s actually worth, and so on, and then you might start to consider whether or not selling is a good idea - but even then, you might not be sure. So here are some useful tips to help you know it’s time to finally sell your car.
The Repairs Are Starting To Stack Up
One of the most obvious signs that it’s time to sell your car is that repairs are becoming a regular event rather than a rare inconvenience. If you’re constantly booking it into a garage for this or that (or the same things over and over), replacing parts, or dealing with warning lights, it could be time to think about the bigger picture. The fact is, a car that needs a lot of ongoing work doesn’t just cost money, it costs time too, not to mention the fact that you may just not feel all that safe driving it around.
It No Longer Fits Your Life
Sometimes the car isn’t the actual problem, it’s just that things have changed since you bought it, so it doesn’t work for you anymore. Maybe you work from home now, or you’ve moved somewhere with better public transport and less parking. Maybe you need something bigger or smaller or you’re just not driving as much as you used to.
Essentially, if your car doesn’t suit your day-to-day life anymore, it could be a good time to let it go.
You’re Spending More Than You Expected
As well as repairs, there’s the ongoing cost of keeping a car on the road, including insurance, fuel, servicing, tyres, MOTs… it all adds up, and sometimes you don’t notice until you take a moment to look at your outgoings - and then it can be a bit of a shock.
If the costs are starting to feel like they’re not manageable or it’s not worth it for the amount you drive, selling could actually be quite a relief.
It’s Becoming Less Reliable
There’s a difference between an older car with character and an older car you just don’t trust, and if you’re feeling anxious about taking longer journeys, or you’re never quite sure if it’s going to start in the morning, that can be stressful and do some damage to your wellbeing.
A car is meant to make life easier - that’s basically its main function - and if it’s not doing that, why do you still have it?
What Are The Options?
For some people, selling their car is straightforward, but for others, the car might not have much resale value, especially if it’s failed its MOT or needs some major repairs.
In those situations, you might start thinking about it as a scrap car rather than one you can sell, especially if fixing it so someone will buy it just feels like throwing money away.