Risk of breakdown sharply increases: drivers named the ideal time to sell a car
Your car has served you well for years, but recently it has started to 'act up', giving you unpleasant surprises? A researcher from GetHelp analyzed over 4,000 car dealerships and made an interesting finding: there are certain critical milestones after which the risk of high repair costs suddenly increases.
Statistics demonstrated a clear age dynamics of breakdown risks:
- Up to 6 years — a sweet spot, when only one in four cars experiences minor issues like bulbs or filters.
- 7-9 years — a significant time for concern, when a third of cars are prone to surprises, and it is advisable to have a 'safety cushion' for repairs.
- 10-12 years — a transitional stage, when nearly 36% of cars require serious investments and every visit to the mechanic may result in an unpleasant bill.
- After 13 years — a critical threshold, when over 44% of cars become 'regular clients' of service stations and budgeting for expenses becomes almost impossible.
- 16-20 years — a risk zone, where six out of ten owners regularly spend money on spare parts.
Mileage as an indicator
The cost of repairs also depends on the number of kilometers your car has traveled:
- Up to 100,000 km — 21.5% chance of unexpected breakdowns.
- 150,000 km — 30% likelihood of breakdowns starts to rise.
- 200,000 km — 37.5%, indicating a psychological threshold of larger expenses.
- Over 300,000 km — every second car lives from one repair to another.
Ukrainian realities: why things are more complicated for us
Our automotive market is unique since most cars arriving here have high mileage of 200+ thousand km. Repair costs can range from 60 to 120 thousand hryvnias, sometimes exceeding the cost of a similar car.
Experienced masters from service stations in Kyiv and Lviv advise not to postpone repairs to a 'black hole' for the budget and to address vehicle maintenance issues promptly.
Practical advice: when to act
Some alarming signs that you should not ignore:
- Car is 13+ years old and mileage is 200+ thousand km – it's time to carefully consider its condition.
- Rule of thirds: if annual repair costs exceed 30% of the market value, it's a hint to replace the car.
- ‘Flying Dutchman’ syndrome: regular breakdowns every 2-3 months are also a signal to take action.
To save money and nerves, we advise against taking risks and to plan all actions regarding the technical condition of the vehicle in advance.
If annual repair costs are about half the cost of the car - allow yourself to replace it with a newer model.
Conclusion
After 13 years of service and mileage of 200+ thousand km, your car enters a zone of increased risk. Instead, to avoid wasting money and nerves on endless repairs, it's better to plan its replacement with a new or less worn vehicle in advance.
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