Car Retirement: When Should You Let Go of Your Old Vehicle?

A car is a huge investment. That’s why you would maximise its lifespan to make the most of your money. More than that, you might have also developed an emotional connection to your vehicle after driving it for years. Such a connection makes it harder to get rid of the car and replace it with a new one. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if it’s time to let go or to keep driving it. 

Higher Risk of Being Involving in a Crash

Data from the Department for Transport (DfT) shows that 1,770 road deaths occurred in Great Britain in the year ending June 2018. The police also received 26,610 reports of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) in the same period. 

Failing to look properly at the road is the most common reason drivers get involved in road accidents in the country. Driving an old, malfunctioning vehicle, however, also increases your risk of being in a road accident. For instance, you might lose control of your wheels or your brakes might fail while on the road.

Cars have been helpful to many people, from driving to work and grocery stores to going on road trips. You’ll have to retire your vehicle eventually despite how well you take care of it, however. Consider scrapping your old car if it starts putting your safety in jeopardy.

Signs You should Get Rid of Your Car 

Unless you plan to preserve the old car sitting in your garage, getting rid of it gives you more space for a new one. But how can you know if your vehicle is no longer safe to drive? Here are the signs to look out for:

• Strange smells or noises – these are common problems with cars that are nearing their end-of-life. Backfire and a coarse idle indicate the car needs a costly repair or that you need a new car.
• Leaks – old cars leak more than middle-aged cars. Consult a mechanic to check if you can still have the leak fixed or if you need to replace your vehicle. 
• Overheating – if your temperature gauge gets into the red zone more frequently, the cooling system of your car is malfunctioning. Although this problem is fixable, expect to experience the same issue later on. 
• Pieces start to fall off – some components of your car will degrade and fall off over time. Consider getting a new car if most of the interior pieces of your current vehicle no longer stay in place.
• Repair costs – the mechanics and machinery of your car would start to wear down as it gets older. The cost of repair starts small, but it gets bigger as more problems occur. Don’t wait until the repair cost is higher than the current value of your vehicle. 

Disposing of an Old Car Properly

Scrapping your old wheels, especially if it has reached its end-of-life, is a rewarding option. It allows you to earn extra cash and help the environment. Scrappers would pay for the metal components of your car and pick up your old car from your garage themselves, saving you money and the hassle. The metals would be recycled to create new products. 

Make sure to find an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) to scrap your old car. The facility will decide whether to scrap your vehicle entirely or to repair and sell it. After scrapping your vehicle, you will receive a ‘Certificate of Destruction’ to remove your liability for traffic offense penalties and vehicle tax.

LKM Recycling helps you scrap your old vehicle in compliance with industry standards. We are an ATF registered with the Driver and Vehicular Licensing Agency (DVLA), so our team knows the current global metal prices to provide you with the best possible price upon scrapping your car. 

Contact us for a free quote