How often do you change your car?

knightstyle

We usually buy a 3 year old car and keep it for 3 years. But at the moment still have a 2013 Cmax that we bought 4 year ago and will now keep it for longer as it does  exactly what we want having fitted a tow bar and extra springs and seems (touch wood) trouble free.

Flight3287462

I buy salvage and have it repaired and for that to work most efficiently they are kept until they leave in a box.  One went to Nigeria another to Poland and the last one went back to Copart from which it will be sold tomorrow.

mgfvvc

My last 2 main cars I have kept for 8 years. I am aiming for 10 years on my current car, as I ended up spending more than planned. My 2nd car I have had for 20 years.

JustAnotherSaver

Shortest was probably in the 8-10 month range, longest was 12 years. I'm on to my 6th car.

The first 4 have all been replaced because something was going wrong.

Citroen AX had nothing but electrical trouble constantly.

Citroen ZX had nothing but water trouble, constantly

Ford Escort engine basically died and was going to be too costly to repair

Ford Escort replacement was a rush buy, i wasn't happy with it so when it started costing a bit to maintain and i saw the car i wanted come up for sale i got rid.

Vauxhall Astra lasted 12 years. Would probably still be running it but i had moved further from work than when i had bought the Astra so wanted something more economical. Astra started to not run quite right, although most people probably wouldn't have noticed - owning it so long i knew it didn't feel right.

On to a Ford Mondeo now. Not sure how long i'll own it. Would be shocked if it was as long as the Astra because it's not half as good. We shall see.

lincroft1710

Have owned current car for 12 years.

From the late 1950s to the mid 1970s, my father's car owning history was 2 weeks, 9 months, 2.5 yrs, 2 yrs, 2 yrs, 4 yrs, 1 yr, 3 yrs. The only new vehicle was the 3rd one. 

Johnmcl7

I change cars when they don't suit my needs any more so tend to have them for around three to four years, I've had the current one seven years because it has great load capacity, the spec is good and it's been very reliable.  It's approaching ten years old and having some age related issues so I probably would have replaced it this year but no point doing that when the car has spent most of the year doing nothing.

Dr_Crypto

3-4 years. Never put a car through a second MOT. 

JustAnotherSaver

Dr_Crypto said:

3-4 years. Never put a car through a second MOT. 

Out of interest, why is that?

Marvel1

My last car, had it for 12 years and would be longer had it not been written off.

Dr_Crypto

JustAnotherSaver said:

Dr_Crypto said:

3-4 years. Never put a car through a second MOT. 

Out of interest, why is that?

I like new cars. I know it’s not a financially sensible way of doing it but it works for me at present. If money became tight then I’d quickly start keeping them longer.