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[TMWebster]

Most peoples 2 biggest purchases are their house and their car(s).
Everyone accepts that houses deteriorate and get repaired / improved. Everyone accepts that houses generally appreciate in value.
Everyone accepts that cars need servicing and repairing.
Everyone accepts that cars generally depreciate.

My question is what, in this day and age, finally kills cars?

It used to be engines wearing out but these days a well maintained quality diesel engine will do over 1 million miles without major work. In fact I think I read somewhere that BMW or VW ran a production diesel engine on a test bed for the equivalent on 1 million miles stopping only for standard services. They then took it apart and confirmed that all parts were still within tollerances.

Then it used to be bodywork. But then again paint technology has improved so much that this is rarely a problem. In fact Audi/VW has been fully galvanising their cars for years, and I think Ford have started too.

Everything else is easily repairable.

So my "Best Value Motoring Tip" is to buy a second hand galvanised car with a good diesel engine (say a Audi A4 / VW Passat 110/115/130 TDI) for £3000 to £5000 with just over 100000 miles on the clock ,there tends to be a step in residuals at this level, and treat it like your house!!

Repair things that wear out and service it well (preferably yourself) and you will have virtually depreciation free motoring for the next 10 years!

As my Dad points out the first thing that is likely to go seriously wrong is you. You will get bored of the car and want to change it because of all the sales and marketing pressures on us. But this is a money saving site and I wouldn't expect anyone reading this to fall for these

Happy best value motoring.

TMWebster.

PS No I am not affiliated to any motoring organisation / manufacturer.