Halfords Autocentres points increasing age of cars

The effects of the recession mean that more people are keeping their cars for longer and putting off the major expense of buying a new vehicle, according to new research from Halfords Autocentres. However, the mature motors of today are a long way from the old bangers of the past thanks to better engineering and maintenance techniques.

According to experts in the field, drivers are recognising that maintaining and running an older vehicle is more cost effective than buying a newer model.

Kieren Puffett, Editor of motor pricing guide Parkers said: “Looking after your existing car can save you a lot of money compared to buying a new one, which will suffer from heavy depreciation. Maintaining your current car will also help preserve its remaining value, making it easier to sell, and keeping it reliable.”

Statistics from the last three years reveal that cars brought to Halfords Autocentres show a 36 per cent rise in the number of vehicles aged 10 years and a 22 per cent increase in the number of those that are 15 years old. It says the average 15 year old car has done 95,919 miles, 1,014 more miles than 3 years ago.

In total, 22.4 per cent of the vehicles Halfords Autocentres sees are now over 10 years old, a 4.7 per cent increase from 3 years ago. These figures suggest there are currently 7.4 million vehicles over a decade old on UK roads, 1.7 million more than three years ago.

During the same period, the number of younger 3 to 5 year old cars on the road seen by Halfords Autocentres has decreased by 3.4 per cent

Mileage is also increasing. The garage chain says today’s car has an average mileage of 71,980 compared to 70,774 3 years ago, a rise of 1,206 miles or 1.7 per cent.

However it is not clear whether the data is coloured by increased business at the growing chain or if there are other explanations for the results. No details were given about the statistic processes utilised to generate the figures.

Professor Garel Rhys from the Cardiff Business School’s Centre for Automotive Industry Research agrees that “old” cars are now “older” a lot later: “25 years ago, cars were scrapped when they were 12 years old. Today, they are being scrapped at 14.5 to 15.5 years old. This is a dramatic change.”

“On new cars, paint processes are excellent, so rust is disappearing. Technology, parts and assembly are better, so we’re finding that newer cars have years and years of life in them. As running costs decrease, the economic reasons for keeping an older vehicle has become stronger and people are buying into this.”

Bill Collins, Technical Manager at Halfords Autocentres believes that cars are lasting for longer for three reasons: modern manufacturing techniques are significantly better, the technology of lubricants (oil and petrol/diesel) has advanced enormously and engines are subjected to less stress:

“In order to get the most from your vehicle and keep it running reliably, regular servicing and maintenance is essential. Regular checks and oil/filter replacements make the difference to a car last lasting 60k miles or 160k miles. Halfords Autocentres offers dealership quality work at independent prices and we’re here to help keep you on the move.”

Data from Parker’s Guide shows that older cars depreciate much less slowly than newer ones. It shows that an average 2005 Focus depreciated £5,202 after the first year or 10,000 miles, whilst at 10 years old with 100,000 miles on the clock, it depreciated just £106 in a year.

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