For many, their car is like a beloved member of the family and the idea of losing them is too saddening to bear. There comes a time, however, when you have to admit that you can’t keep fighting the inevitable. Cars aren’t meant to last forever and there are different makes and models to fit all stages of life. Similarly, your motorbike might not be the best choice if you’re raising a family, and your fuel guzzler also might not be the right car to drive on the long commute to work.

There are many reasons you might have to trade in your old vehicle for something new, but for some, it’s hard to read the signs. So, here is a list of five signs indicating you need a new vehicle:

Repairs Exceed Vehicle Value

If you’re still driving around your old reliable and spending nearly the same amount of time fixing and maintaining it, then perhaps you might want to reconsider how reliable it is. In an effort to try and save money, you could be spending even more on it than it’s worth, and nothing is being saved at all. Sometimes, the big spend might save you more money and time in the long run. With so much online these days, finding the right car doesn’t have to be an ordeal, as dealerships like the Honda City website make it easy to get a good look at which car models might suit your needs.

Change In Circumstance

Maybe it’s time to trade in your sports car for a more practical family vehicle. As your circumstances in life change, it’s likely that the kind of car you need will change. You might need something that consumes less fuel because you’re spending a lot more time driving to work, or maybe you had that fourth child to make a family of six. You might be looking for another car to add to your family or upsizing to a six-seater. The opposite could be true, too, if all the kids have fled the nest, as it could be time to downsize from the mini-van to a smaller more compact option. If your career requires you to travel off-road most of the time, a typical sedan won’t cut it and you might need a Range Rover instead.

Outdated Tech

Many new cars are fitted out with new gadgets and safety features that protect you and your family and make driving easier. If you’re still having to stick your head out the window to get the best view while reversing, or are starting to worry about your car’s safety while driving the family, this may be a sign to upgrade. Starting a family could mean you want a vehicle fitted with all the best features to ensure your children’s safety. All car brands offer their own features and some are more trustworthy than others, choosing the right car brand for you will have to do with personal history and your current circumstance.

Strange Sounds

If your vehicle is making funny noises, gurgling, grinding, and sputtering along, it might be trying to tell you something. Much like a person when they’re sick, strange noises are an indication that a vehicle is unwell and not working as it should. In this case you should at least take it to a mechanic, but if your ride is still trying to talk to you even after seeing a mechanic, it’s probably time to think about moving forward with a healthy new vehicle.

Breaking Down

The last thing any driver needs is to worry about breaking down on the way to work or picking the kids up from school. While incidents with your car over the years are inevitable, you don’t want to be in a position where you’re constantly finding yourself on the side of the road calling for help, or making monthly visits to your mechanic. A routine car service can be expensive, let alone the price for any larger repairs. Your mechanic may appreciate the business, but there’s only so much to be done before it’s time to call it a day. Constant breakdowns can add up and each time it happens, you lose some peace of mind. You don’t want to have to think about a possible breakdown every time you get behind the wheel.

Conclusion

No matter how much you love your vehicle or how many memories you’ve made with it, there always comes a time to let go. If you’re all too familiar with the problems above, it may be time to consider finally saying goodbye to the old and hello to the new. Remember, getting a new car doesn’t have to cost the earth—you can always trade in your own car, buy a pre-owned one, or get a good deal at the dealership.