When is the Right Time to Replace your Old Car? Telltale Signs

“Don’t get attached to things, learn to let them go.” But isn’t this just too difficult when it comes to your beloved ride? From bringing your little one home for the first time in it to dropping them off for their first day at college, almost everyone has had such treasured memories which are associated with their car. Cars are like those companions that stay with you for a definite yet the significant course of time unconditionally.

And with all those joyous evocations, letting go of your ride becomes even more difficult. But at the end of the day, cars are machines with which you’ve got to part ways once it begins to show its age.

But how do you know what is the right time for you to replace your old car? Today, we take a look at 10 such telltales that will show you that it is about time you change your car.

Read More: What matters the Most? Kilometres or Age | Used Car Buying Guide

1. Fluids Getting Depleted
   

   Imagine having got your car from service just a few weeks ago and the fluids in your car especially the engine oil begins to run low already. If this has happened more than once and you know that your car has done at least more half a decade with you, then it’s probably about time you let your car go.

   

   Most prominent cause for rapid fluid depletion is excessive wear or leakage to the internals of the car. In such a case, a comprehensive overhaul for the mechanicals of the car could be painstaking and exhaustive. Hence, it is recommended to rather consider buying a new car instead of intensively working your way towards getting your old car repaired. Still, want to keep your car? Get the engine overhauled at GoMechanic.

2. Serpentine Belt’s Squeaky noise
   

   

   Various mechanical functions in your car’s engine bay work synchronously with the help of a pulley system. This pulley system uses ‘belts’ to connect the various pulleys like the Alternator pulley, Power steering pulley, idler pulleys, etc. The pulleys also have bearings used to run the belts on the pulleys seamlessly.

   Through a course of time, mostly after a car has done north to 50 K on the odometer, the Belts and the baring on the pulleys tend to get worn out. This or another reason like a loose tension of the belts causes the engine to make a high pitched squeaky noise.

   If it’s just because of bad belts, you can get them changed. However, if it is because of worn-out pulleys and bearing, it might be a sign that it’s the end of the road for the engine of your car.

3. Rusting
   

   

   Corrosion might just be your car’s worst enemy and if you see too much of it at different spots all around your car, then it might just be game over for your car. Moderate level of rusting is still fine and can be repaired if a comprehensive and diligent routine is applied to the car body. However, If the corrosion has lodged places and striking holes into the body, then the longevity of the metal body is compromised anyway.

   Especially if your car spends more time in the garage than on the road. In that case, before your car loses any more of its value due to rusting, swap it out for a new one.

4. Brittle plastics and interior fabrics

   Another aspect that gives out the age of your car (other than the obvious ones) is the degradation of the interior bits. If symbols from the toggle switches are getting erased, Chrome bits are starting to fade away and the interior fabric is having cracks, then you should know that you’ve exploited it enough.

   Now, it will be absurd if you consider this a sole reason to sell your old car. However, if this factor is coupled with a few others then it sure makes for a strong case.

   Must Read: Obsolete Cars (Previous-Generation) that are still On Sale in India!

5. Electricals begin to fail
   

   

   Again, not a prime reason to part ways with your old car. Lousy functioning of things like the power windows, steering mounted controls, auto climate control switches and various other electricals in the car can be very annoying. However, such faults in a car can be repaired, but if the problems resurface even after repairs, then that can be very annoying. So much so that it might also make you let go of the car only because of these reasons.

6. Excessive smoke from the Tailpipe
   

   

   Clouds of smoke from the tailpipe mean that you are bound to get the car checked for leakages. There are different types of smoke coming out of the cars and the different colours of the smoke direct you towards different types of leakage. This leakage can be related to the engine block, coolant, fuel injectors, valves, etc.

   If you too see dense smoke coming out of the tailpipe, then do get it checked from GoMechanic for the leakages. These cracks and leakages on the internals of the car and the prominent smoke it is throwing means that the car isn’t suitable for regular commutes anymore and it will be wise to sell the car instead.

   Suggested Read: Decoding VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) | Explained in Detail

7. Fuel Efficiency degrading
   

   Compare your old car’s fuel efficiency with the fuel efficiency ratings proposed by a new car or maybe the latest version of your old car which is available in the market. If your old cars are churning out significantly less mileage than a new car, then switching to a new car can a be a wise choice after all?

   

   If your car is giving you less mileage than it used to give when it was all-new, then this means that the motor isn’t working in the most efficient manner and certain parts working in the mechanism have clearly taken a hit over the course of time.

   Spending money on the car’s repairs doesn’t seem feasible when it is already drilling a hole in your pocket with the poor fuel efficiency. So, considering to look for a new car instead might be a better resort.

8. Cost of Ownership

   If your old car is in a situation that it is accustomed to frequent breakdowns and you’re spending more money on repairs than what you might actually get for the car when you try to sell it. In this case, if you’re not looking to preserve the car as an antique then you’ve got to let the car go. It might turn out to be nothing but good riddance for you.

    

   

   You can use all those funds that you were going to spend on the old car as a down payment for your new car, along with what you get from selling the old car.

9. Availability of spare parts

   This is especially in the case if your old clunker is also a car which wasn’t too popular during its initial years in the market as well. For such cars, the OEM spares begin to vanish from the shelves of the stores quite easily. This will further increase the pain of maintaining your old car since parts are not so easy to find anymore.

10. Your car is about to celebrate its 15th birthday

    If you’ve had your car for such a long span then it is certain that you’ve had your fun with it. Once your car crosses the 15-year mark, you’re gonna have to go through the hassle of getting its registration renewed for another 5 years. Again, if you’re not looking to preserve the car then you should definitely get rid of it before the ‘15 year mark’ and replace the outdated car with an all-new tech-loaded ride.

    Reaching towards the 15-year mark, a car loses almost all of its value and in most cases, the car sells at its scrap value. So, if you want to retrieve some value from your old car, try and sell it much before it reaches the point where its registration expires.

    What is the longest time for which you have kept a car? Let us know in the comments section below.