One of the first signals that may lead to a change of vehicle is mileage. A vehicle’s lifespan is counted not in years but in the number of kilometres it has travelled or, for an electric vehicle, in the number of times it has been charged. It is also a well-known fact that the average life of a vehicle depends on what type of engine it has, and that after a certain number of kilometres reselling it will be more complicated.
- A petrol vehicle: it is generally considered that a petrol car is designed to travel up to 25,000 km per year and that it may be considered to be old after 200,000 km.
- A diesel vehicle: it is designed to travel more than 25,000 km per year and the engine is considered to be old after 250,000 km.
- An electric vehicle: the life of an electric car is not measured in terms of the number of kilometres driven but the number of charges, because its life depends mainly on its battery. Although we currently lack much experience, we can assume that the battery of an electric vehicle has an average life of 1,000 to 1,500 charges. This would correspond to a life of about 10 to 15 years, provided the car is well maintained and it has been charged in optimal conditions.
If your vehicle has reached these mileage levels, it may be time to think about changing it, bearing in mind that if your average annual mileage is much higher, it is advisable to change your vehicle every three years.
The more kilometres your vehicle has covered, the more you will be faced with two issues:
- More frequent breakdowns: the older a vehicle, the more likely it is to break down. The cost of repairs is in addition to the annual maintenance cost.
- More expensive maintenance: after a certain period of time, you will have to change certain parts on your vehicle: oil and air filters, spark plugs, brake pads, tires, brake discs, shock absorbers, bearings, drive train links, the distributor or the drive belt and this will increase your annual maintenance bill.
When the time comes to change cars, an inevitable question arises: should one buy a new or a used car? Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice will depend on various factors such as your budget, specific needs, and personal preferences.
Purchasing a new car offers the benefit of a manufacturer's warranty, usually for a duration of 2 years or more. The vehicle is in perfect condition, with no history of repairs or breakdowns. You also have the option to customise it to your liking, with a wide range of models, features, and engines to choose from.
On the other hand, buying a used car can be more economical. The initial cost is significantly lower than that of a new vehicle, especially if you opt for models that have already undergone significant depreciation.
You can read our article to help you choose your next model.
Changing cars requires various steps, including:
- Registering the vehicle in your name. If you buy a new car, the dealership will handle the registration for you. If it's from a private seller, you must request a registration number. You can do this via the electronic assistant MyGuichet.lu, where you can also choose a personalised number.
- Taking out car insurance, particularly third-party liability insurance.
How to sell your current vehicle?
If you've decided to sell your car, you can find all the advice from our experts in this article.
What support is available for changing cars in 2024?
You can benefit from a subsidy of 8000 EUR for the purchase of a fully electric vehicle until 31 March 2024.
You can find all the steps to apply for the grant on the guichet.lu website.
After a certain number of kilometres, when maintenance costs (servicing and repairs) have become more expensive than the cost of buying and paying for a new vehicle, it is time to consider replacing it.
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