Most people purchase cars with the implicit understanding that they won’t run perfectly forever. That’s just a natural element of driving such a complex piece of engineering. It might be that your brake lights fail, or perhaps your steering wheel seems to pull to the side, or maybe a dashboard light shines when you were least expecting it, leading to hundreds in repairs.
Of course, none of us will ever be “done” with car maintenance and upkeep, it’s just part of owning one and driving one for many miles on the road. The same could be said for living in a house, no matter how well-built it is, sooner or later you will have to sort out a pipe leak or refit the insulation.
But suppose you’ve just gone through an annoying breakdown with your previous car, you’re on a tight budget or you’re just a normal human being with normal interests. In that case, odds are you want to find a car that offers the most reliability and less surprise maintenance costs.
If so, there are some worthwhile principles to stick to. In this guide, we’ll explore those to help inform your next purchase.
Consider The General Cost Of Repairs
Of course, you can never be 100% sure how much a car will cost you in repairs and upkeep over the course of its lifespan. That being said, you can certainly opt for cars that are cheaper and easier to repair, perhaps with aftermarket parts. Some might even have proprietary parts that are a little more expensive to replace, but are known for lasting a long while after that maintenance work has been completed. This way, you can generally gauge how much you’re willing to spend and the kind of model most suitable to that.
Explore Electric Or Hybrid Options
Electric vehicles tend to have fewer moving parts that can go wrong, thanks to their completely revolutionized approach to “fueling” the vehicle and engine design. They can break down of course, but generally much less, and as such many car owners consider them a worthwhile investment. In addition, with brands like Vinfast, you can be sure of the manufacturer’s quality assurance, which should give you further piece of mind as you plan your next purchase.
Explore Car Leasing Options
Car leasing can be arranged in one of many ways, but in some cases (especially if you’re living in a certain area for a temporary amount of time), they can be your best ifnancial option. This is because if the vehicle breaks down and it’s not due to a road traffic collisions or the fault of the driver, your lease provider can replace or repair the vehicle for you to make sure you’re back up to speed within no time. In effect, your willingness to outsource ownership means this is someone else’s problem, but of course, make sure this is written into the contract. Much like a landlord being responsible for the repairs of a rental property, this is one outcome you won’t have to plan for.
