Should I Change My Car? (9 Signs It Might Be Time to Move On)

Wondering whether to stick or twist with your current car? Maybe it keeps breaking down, feels more ‘vintage’ than modern, or you're just bored with it. Whatever the reason, deciding to change your car is a big call, and it’s not just about the car itself. There’s the cost, the hassle, and the question of what to get next.

It can feel exciting or a bit stressful. We’re here to help make the decision a little easier. In this guide, we’ll cover the clearest signs that it might be time to upgrade, plus a few reasons you might want to hang onto your current ride a little longer.

9 Signs It’s Time to Change Your Car

Everyone’s situation is different, but there are usually some clear signs that it might be time to trade up to a new motor. Here are our top nine signs that it’s time to change your car:

1. It keeps breaking down

Cars break down more often as they get older. It’s inevitable because many of the mechanical and electrical components in a car simply wear out with age. The same thing happens with your dishwasher, toaster or laptop. If your car regularly fails its MOT it’s a sign that either you’re not maintaining it properly or things are starting to wear out. Common failures such as worn brake, steering and suspension parts can be costly to put right and major repairs such as a new cam belt or clutch cost hundreds of pounds. Fixing engine or gearbox issues can run into thousands.

Regular maintenance keeps a car going for longer, but it generally reaches the point where the cost of repairs outweighs the value of your car. The truth is, you never know when something else might go wrong and, if it’s not covered by a warranty, how much it might cost to fix it. A car breakdown can also be extremely inconvenient, leaving you stranded at the side of the road instead of where you want to be. 
So having a more reliable car that you can depend on, and which allows you to budget more accurately, can be very appealing. 

2. It’s costing too much in fuel/tax/insurance

If you want to spend less on things like fuel, tax, and insurance, it might make sense to change your car. 

In general, the larger and more powerful a car is the more fuel it uses and the higher it sits in terms of insurance groups and tax brackets. Maintenance costs for high-end cars also tend to be higher than for more mainstream models, so swapping from something large or inefficient to a car that’s smaller, uses less fuel or creates lower emissions (or all of the above) could save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds per year. 

3. Your lifestyle has changed, or is about to

The right car is often the one that best fits your lifestyle – so if that suddenly changes, or is about to, then changing cars could be a good idea. For example, a two-seater convertible might be great right now, but if you have a baby on the way or just bought a large dog, it’s not going to cut the mustard. And if you get a new job with a long commute and driving is the only option, that cool coupe that does 20mpg is going to end up costing you a fortune in petrol. 

You might also have a change in living arrangements that makes your current car unfit for purpose, which might mean you need a bigger car, a smaller one or that you now need to buy a second car. Or perhaps you’ve taken up a new hobby that involves carrying lots of bulky gear and your beloved Mini just isn’t up to the job. 

However much you might like your current car, if you’re having to make compromises to make it fit your lifestyle, then it’s probably time to move on. 

4. You want the latest tech features

Modern cars are packed full of features that can make journeys easier, less stressful and more fun, and you might consider it worth upgrading your car to get them. Things like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make it easier to listen to your music, make calls and use sat-nav on the move, for example, while features such as a heated windscreen, reversing camera or a self-parking function can make driving and manoeuvring your car less stressful. 

While some of these are available as accessories that you can add to your current car, they might not work as seamlessly, and it might make more financial sense to simply get a car that has them as standard. 

5. You want to trade-in your current car while it’s still worth something

Cars are generally worth less the more miles they’ve covered, so even if your current car suits your needs and is running well, it’s likely to be losing value the longer you hold on to it. If you want to get a good price for your current car to put towards your next one, it might be worth doing it sooner rather than later. 

A bit of research can help you decide whether this could be the right time to make a change. By entering the details of your current car into an online car valuation tool and then looking at the prices of similar cars for sale online, you can get a good idea of what it’s worth and whether trading in your car now could make financial sense. 

6. You want to ‘go electric’

Making the switch to an electric car could be a great reason to change your car. There are now more electric cars than ever to choose from, with a wealth of used and new models to suit various needs and budgets. Many cost about the same as (or sometimes less than) an equivalent petrol car. Most new models offer a battery range of well over 200 miles. 

Getting an electric car could cut your running costs if you have a home charger, and electric cars are generally faster and quieter than a petrol, diesel or hybrid car. Of course, you may simply want to get an electric car because it’s generally agreed that they’re better for the environment – that’s as good a reason as any to make the change. 

7. Do you want a car that’s more stylish or more fun to drive?

While some people view their car as simply ‘white goods’, others appreciate a car that feels responsive and enjoyable to drive, or which you can’t resist sneaking a glance at when you walk away from it. Yes, it’s just an inanimate object, but a car has the potential to give your day a lift. 
If your car doesn’t do that for you, or it used to but doesn’t anymore, then it could be time to trade it in and treat yourself to one that does. 

8. You want the safest car possible

If you want the safest car possible, it’s generally a case of getting a newer car. Safety technology is continually improving as manufacturers develop ever stronger cars, as well as driver assistance features that can help prevent a crash from happening in the first place. 

There are various advanced safety systems that use cameras and sensors to read the road ahead and automatically use the car’s brakes and steering to avoid a potential collision with other vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists. Others can detect driver drowsiness, alert you to important road signs and detect cars behind you in your blind spot. 

The newer the car, the more likely it is to have these kinds of features. So if keeping you, your passengers and other road users safe is a priority, getting a new car could be a good idea. 

9. Your financial circumstances have changed

If your financial circumstances change, it could suddenly make the prospect of an upgrade possible. 

It’s always wise to spend within your means (and a car finance calculator is a great way of checking the affordability of a finance agreement), but a higher-paid job, an inheritance or a change in your living arrangements could free up some budget that puts a better car within reach. And for all, or some, of the reasons we’ve mentioned so far, that might be worth your while.

Should I Keep My Car Instead?

If you’re considering changing your car, bear in mind that it might make more sense to keep it instead. Here are our top four reasons why you might choose to hang on to it rather than trade it in. 

1. It’s reliable 

If your current car is proving to be reliable and cost-effective to maintain, that could be a good reason to keep it. A newer car might come with a warranty and the expectation of better reliability, but the reality is that it could still let you down and cost you money to put right. 

So it could be a case of ‘better the devil you know’, especially if you’ve maintained your current car well and you know that it has a good service history. Of course, there's always the possibility that it could start having issues, but it might make financial sense to keep it until that happens. 

2. It’s affordable to run

If you’ve got your eye on a new (or newer) car that is going to end up costing you more to own than your current one, it might be best to stick with what you have. New car prices have increased dramatically over recent years, so you could end up paying a lot more for a similar, but newer, car. Changes to road tax rules over recent years mean that you could also end up paying more in tax for a newer car, while insurance premiums could also be higher. 

If trading up to a newer model is going to put a strain on your finances, it may be better to stick with what you have. 

3. It has sentimental value

Although a car is, at heart, simply a means to get you from A to B, it can also be something you have an emotional connection with. And if you associate your car with good times or loved ones, then that could outweigh more rational concerns.

It might be the car you brought your first child home in, for example, or it might have been a gift (or inherited) from a relative or friend. Or perhaps it’s a car that you’ve spent a lot of time and money modifying to suit your tastes. If you think that you’ll regret selling a car that has sentimental value to you, then it could be better to hang on to it after all. 

4. You want to make a sustainable choice

Even if you choose to buy a car that’s more fuel-efficient or is an EV, keeping your current car might be a better choice in terms of environmental sustainability. There are lots of factors to consider, but a lot of resources are used in the creation of a new car and at the end of its lifespan, there may be additional waste to dispose of. So holding on to a car that’s already in existence could be a more sustainable choice. 

Ultimately, it depends on both your current car and the one you’re considering. If you answer yes to three or more of these, it might be worth keeping your current car:

• Is your current car reliable?
• Is your current car affordable to run?
• Does your current car have sentimental value?
• Do you think keeping your car is a more sustainable choice?

Should you buy a new or used car?

If you’re struggling to decide whether you should buy a new car, buy a used car or keep your current car it’s a good idea to consider the positives and negatives of each option in detail. 

To help you, we’ve outlined the top 5 pros and cons for each option:

Change your car for the right reasons

It’s worth spending a bit of time working out whether or not you should change your car because it’s likely to be one of the largest purchases you make. There are lots of factors involved, with financial, practical and emotional elements to consider.

Our advice is to do your research. That way, whether you keep your car or change it, you can be sure that you’ve made an informed decision that’s the best option for you.