5 signs you should sell your car

When your car no longer meets your needs

Changes in your personal or professional circumstances could mean that your current car no longer fits your needs:

A growing family

If you’re expecting a new addition to your family, that flashy sports car or three-door hatchback may lack the space and practicality you need. Trading it in for a roomier saloon or a more safety-focused model should take care of this problem.

Moving to the city

Moving to a new area can change your motoring needs. Whilst a rugged diesel 4x4 can be ideal for navigating winding country roads in the mud, snow, and rain, it may be less practical if you decide to move to the city.

In this case, a smaller, more economical car would be much better for handling stop/start traffic, and narrow roads.

If you do move to a city, it’s also important to consider whether you’ll regularly travel with the ULEZ or other similar chargeable zones. If your car doesn’t meet their emissions criteria, consider making the switch. Those daily fees can really add up over time!

Covering more miles

Finally, perhaps you’ve landed a new job with a longer commute than you had before. If you’re regularly covering long stretches on the motorway, it’s especially important to have a reliable and economical motor.

Older models tend to be less fuel efficient and are more prone to breaking down. So, if you’ll soon be covering hundreds of miles each day, it could be time to upgrade to something more dependable.

When your car is at its most valuable

Selling your car at a good price will leave you with more cash to put towards your next purchase. Choosing the best time to sell your car is key here:

• Market data indicates that February is a good month to sell (for all car types) as consumer demand is high.
• Most cars (except for MPVs, SUVs, and 4x4s) sell for the best prices during the first half of the year.
• However, prices for different types of cars peak at different times of the year, due to market seasonality.
• Convertible prices peak in spring, when buyers are keen to enjoy as many sunny drives as they can. Meanwhile, MPV, SUV, and 4x4 prices are at their peak in the autumn and winter, when these sturdier cars get the chance to show off their abilities in the ice and snow.
• Bear in mind that over time, your car’s value will be affected by depreciation. The starkest value loss will occur in the first year – and by the three-year mark, many cars will have lost over half their brand-new value.
• The higher your mileage, the lower your resale value will be, as many buyers associate higher mileages with looming mechanical problems. Selling before 70,000 miles is considered optimal by many buyers.

Please note: Although choosing the right time to sell is important, the overall condition of your car is another key valuation factor to consider. Investing in repairs and a valet service can help to prepare your car for resale and maximise its value.

• When it costs more to keep your car running than it’s worth

  The older a car gets, the more frequently it will need repairs. Some cars will also develop stubborn faults that mechanics can’t quite put right. So, you’ll end up paying out time and time again for a series of expensive ‘band-aids’.

  If you feel that your car is becoming a money pit, bear in mind that it’s likely to get worse over time. The repair and maintenance costs will eat into your budget – and may even exceed your car’s value over time.

  So, how do you know when it’s no longer worth your while? Here are a few pointers to help you decide whether to repair your car or sell it:

  • Use our free car valuation tool to find out how much your motor is currently worth.

  • From here, you can add up the cost of any existing and upcoming repairs. If the total outweighs your car's value, then it’s a good time to part ways before it costs you even more!

• When your car is too expensive to run

  It’s not just repairs and maintenance that can make motoring expensive. When assessing the affordability of your car, there are other factors to consider:

  Fuel consumption: As we’ve mentioned, older car models tend to be less fuel efficient. After years of wear on the components, an older car will have to work harder to get from A to B, increasing fuel consumption. More trips to the petrol station means less money in your pocket.

  Higher insurance costs: Whilst luxury and supercars have plenty of kerb appeal, they can cost a small fortune to insure each year. If you’re looking to save some cash, switching to something in a lower car insurance group could be a smart move.

  High car tax bands: Some older, high-emission cars cost more in annual road tax than their modern counterparts. So, you may be able to save some more money by switching to something modern and economical.

  Under the car tax band system introduced in April 2024, you can pay up to £735 a year to tax an older high-emission vehicle. Meanwhile, most modern cars are charged a flat rate of £190 from year two onwards - and fully electric cars are exempt from road tax until 2025.

• When it feels unsafe

  As cars age, they become less reliable - and some degree of interior and exterior wear is inevitable.

  However, if your car develops an issue that jeopardises your safety, immediate action is required. Repairs can be expensive, but you can’t put a price on your safety. If the repair bill is a little too steep, this could be a sign to change your car.

  It’s also worth considering that older cars lag behind their modern counterparts when it comes to safety features.

  Technology is making cars safer every year, and there is a range of intuitive features available to protect and adapt to drivers' needs. Clever technologies such as lane departure warning, blind spot detection, and reversing cameras are helping to prevent accidents – and save more lives.

  If you have concerns about the reliability of your car - or would feel a little safer with the latest technology on your side, it may be time for an upgrade.