Knowing when it’s time to get a new car isn’t always as obvious as the steering wheel coming off or the engine falling out. Although there’s no universal rule as to when it’s time to replace your car, there are three major signs it’s time to upgrade your vehicle, which we discuss below.

1. Your car is more expensive to repair than it’s worth

Regardless of how much or how little you drive your vehicle, car owners are eventually going to need to drop money on maintenance and repairs. After all, keeping your car on its maintenance schedule will prolong the lifespan of your vehicle and help prevent you from getting stranded on the side of the road.

There comes a point for many car owners, however, where the cost of repairs in an aging vehicle starts to outweigh the vehicle’s value. (This factor may not be important to some people, who simply want to keep their beloved car.)

For those who are trying to stay on a budget, or who don’t want to be paying more than their car is worth on keeping it going, it may be time to look at the free vehicle value estimators from Kelly Blue Book or NADA. You’ll then want to get a quote from your mechanic to assess both current and upcoming maintenance items.

If your car’s value is less than your combined maintenance quote, then you may want to consider trading it in for something that will cost you less money overall.

2. Your needs have changed

Maybe you’re about to welcome a new member to your family and your two-seater won’t cut it anymore. Maybe you’re about to pick up off-roading as a new hobby and your minivan just isn’t up for the task. Perhaps you’ve decided to start driving for a ride-share service and you need a vehicle that’s more suited to transport passengers around town.

Whatever the factors in your life may be, honestly assess whether your current vehicle is still right to match your needs. Sometimes, a change in what you’re driving can make a significant impact in your quality of life.

3. You are earning more money – or less

A change in employment – for better or for worse – can significantly impact whether it’s time to replace your car. A promotion or raise may mean you can comfortably afford that car which has been on your wish list, while a job loss may mean you need to trade your vehicle in for something more affordable.

You’ll want to consider whether your change in income is temporary and weigh the associated likelihood of further changes to your earnings into whether or not you want to make the commitment to a new ride.

Complete Auto Care At T3 Atlanta

As you can see, there are many potential signs it’s time to replace your vehicle, but only you can make the final call. If you’ve decided that it isn’t yet time to replace your car but you need repairs, T3 Atlanta can help extend the lifespan of your car and keep it in top condition.

We provide fast and friendly service for Nissan, Lexus, Infiniti, and Toyota vehicles at our convenient Smyrna and Decatur locations. Give us a call and we’ll book you in for a prompt appointment!