Car ownership methods 2026 onwards? - Page 1 - Car Buying

Original Poster

1,138 posts

172 months

Tuesday 30th December 2025

Hi,

I like to keep a general feel for how to best purchase a car should I suddenly need to make a quick change (e.g. mechanical or insurance write off).

When I bought my car around five years ago it was about £13k. The equivalent like for like of same model, colour, age difference and spec for when I bought mine are now listed at around £20k. Other cars I have previously considered which were £18k five years ago are now pushing past £30k.

Obviously salaries have not kept pace.

On the assumption of not being able to buy outright with these figures and the car would be used for 5 years at say 15-20k miles a year, what are the preferred methods of car ownership now? Is it still a mixture of cash and loan and estimating the likely residual value when finished with the car? Or is leasing again the better financial route? Or PCP offers with new cars and rotate more regularly?

ZX10R NIN

29,902 posts

147 months

Tuesday 30th December 2025

How much do you actually have to spend before finance?

What car do you have now?

Are there any must haves you'tr looking for?

At 15-20k a year depreciation will be your biggest concern.

There are some very good reliable cars that'll see you right for another 100k.

Original Poster

1,138 posts

172 months

Friday 2nd January

Hi,

Would be in region of say £10k but this may go up subject to when, with the rest being by loan or finance set up (or by monthly PCP if that is the more effective options for the immediate future?).

Current car is a Superb 150 TDi which is very good, had since 50k and done over 100k miles with it now.

I had often taken a liking to the BMW 3 and 5 Series but only with the 3 litre engine, anything less then in my mind they're not worth the premium and would opt for a better spec for lower cost car (much like what I have or an Octavia say) though the A4 Avant look appealing in the right spec as can the Merc C and E class.

Heated seats and auto dimming mirrors are must have as is being an estate (or good shaped SUV / cross over). Adaptive cruise is a nice to have. Would like a decent automatic for a change.

Clearly residuals are a significant factor in how these cars are funded. Is it still best practice for cash topped up with a loan?

ZX10R NIN

29,902 posts

147 months

Friday 2nd January

How much are you expecting to spend?

What year is the lowest you'll go?

What's your usage?

The above will dictate your drivetrain choices.

Original Poster

1,138 posts

172 months

Friday 2nd January

By comparison, if it were a car similar to what I have now (or even same model again just younger) I would be aiming for around the 3 year old mark which seems to be in the region of £18k. Same applies to the Octavia and equivalent models. The A4 Avant also looks to be in this region if a year or so older. So I think this sets the base line. If it were a more expensive car (e.g. previously referenced BMW 5 Series with 3 litre) then we are going to need to have a sufficient residual to compensate for the increase in price, so that when I moved it on the difference in cost purchase vs sale would not be significantly different to a lower cost purchase option.

The above is all based on outright purchase supported with loan to top up the difference. I am asking the question because I don't want to have missed a trick so to speak where I can do better with the money for the same vehicle by using a different method (e.g. PCP for example if that works better for newer vehicles at the moment?).

Typical weekly usage is mixture of shorter journeys two to three times a week around 10 miles, with 30-60 once or twice a week. Every few weeks can be multiple hundred miles for work purposes, often motorway or fast A road. I envisage my annual mileage will be less than it was with my current car since I am now more managerial than hands on with work so have been travelling less. Usage can also incorporate trips abroad to Europe for say ski or cycle events.

Edited by DickP on Friday 2nd January 14:23

Original Poster

1,138 posts

172 months