Is it time for another car or is it better to keep driving your current one for a while?
You have a car, but you are not sure if it is the right time to buy a new one. Are you going to drive less or more, could you use a bigger car because something has changed in your personal situation, does your current car need serious repairs or would you just like something new. Replace or drive on?
Let's get right to the point: there is no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. There are countless reasons to buy a new vehicle, but there are just as many reasons to stay in your current car. We examine three typical scenarios and try to offer advice in the process.
More or less mileage?
You work from home more often than before, start a new career further away from home, or perhaps you retire. Numerous factors can cause you to abruptly drive fewer or more miles than usual. So the car you currently have in front of your door may just no longer be the cheapest and smartest choice.
If you used to cover a lot of miles, you may now have a diesel or LPG car. These have a much higher road tax, but the price at the pump is much lower. This advantage disappears if you travel considerably less, in which case it can only be advantageous to drive a petrol or hybrid vehicle.
Or is there even an electric option? It is a good idea to look into this and list the costs for each version.
How much will it cost me?
A somewhat inefficient petrol-powered car is very expensive if you want to travel a longer distance, and a cheaper vehicle - whether it runs on a different fuel or has a plug - is always preferable. With the handy ANWB car expenses tool you can quickly determine how much your current car costs at different mileages and whether it makes sense to switch to another one.
A bigger or smaller car?
Are you staying married or perhaps getting divorced? Are the children leaving the parental home or is there a child on the way? Do you plan to remodel and regularly fill your small car with far too large items from the hardware store or furniture shop? Or are you planning to drive more often and need more safety and comfort than your current compact car can provide?
Remember that a bigger car usually costs more to operate. They consume more, you pay more tax/insurance and maintenance also tends to be more expensive. Do you really need that bigger car, or can you borrow or rent a bigger car from time to time? Think critically about this.
Read tests and reports
For convenience, the ANWB but also other websites such as Autoweek, for example, have collected all relevant information on both new and used cars. You can quickly search for your possible next vehicle by focusing on estate cars or minimum boot size, for example. There are also usage statistics, expected monthly expenses and regular tests carried out by the ANWB. Of course, you can also delve into the extensive second-hand offer and ask for advice at a specialist garage. So delve into the available information before making your choice.
Still performing maintenance?
A car needs regular maintenance, especially as it ages, as parts may need to be replaced before they break down altogether. The current value of the car is only decreasing, but maintenance costs seem to be increasing. When is it wiser to go elsewhere and when is a car worth an expensive repair?
It is difficult to predict breakdowns and failures. You may find that just after spending €2,000 on replacing the timing chain, the engine unexpectedly breaks down three weeks later. This is obviously galling but unfortunately unpredictable. Therefore, some luck is always needed, but some points can also be accurately predicted. To illustrate: you know when the timing belt should be replaced. Moreover, the garage mechanic or inspector may have advised you during the most recent service or inspection that it is probably time to replace the brakes or exhaust system. It could be time for something else if there are numerous such repairs coming up. So map this out carefully.
However, the next vehicle also needs maintenance. You might as well be back at the garage right after the purchase, especially if you are buying back a used car. Even if the cost approaches or exceeds the car's current market value, a high garage bill should not be an excuse to throw away an old but reliable vehicle. You are aware of what you have, and it is essentially an excellent car. Even though another opportunity may seem attractive, keep in mind that the previous owner most likely also sold it for one of the above motives.
Perhaps private lease?
The manufacturer's warranty only covers repairs on new cars for the first few years. However, every car will eventually need maintenance and this will cost you money. If you want to avoid unpleasant surprises, consider leasing privately. The fuel is then added to a fixed monthly amount that you pay afterwards. This fixed monthly amount therefore already includes maintenance costs. Private leasing is starting to become more and more accessible to individuals, so it is definitely worth looking into!
Good luck with the choice!
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