What wears out and kills a modern-ish car?
Discussion
Just wondering.
I guess in the 60's it was usual to do a lot of work on the engine, decoke, etc. and oil being nowhere near as good as today. So you'd expect a 100k car to be on its last legs if not religiously looked after.
Then in the 70s maybe engines were getting more sorted, so rust was the killer.
I wouldn't say rust was realy a killer nowadays, maybe electrics? Scrappage scheme?
What do you think?
I guess in the 60's it was usual to do a lot of work on the engine, decoke, etc. and oil being nowhere near as good as today. So you'd expect a 100k car to be on its last legs if not religiously looked after.
Then in the 70s maybe engines were getting more sorted, so rust was the killer.
I wouldn't say rust was realy a killer nowadays, maybe electrics? Scrappage scheme?
What do you think?
Its cost of the electronic systems now that kill cars, and the depreciation!! Youll find lovely cars (Lexus LS400 for example), run perfectly, serviceable machine, but if all the ABS sensors went, I guess worth more than the car.
I know from experience, looking for parts for the Subaru I used to drive, when the clutch went, to replace, and fit, it was all the car was worth, so I waved goodbye to it!
I know from experience, looking for parts for the Subaru I used to drive, when the clutch went, to replace, and fit, it was all the car was worth, so I waved goodbye to it!
Dave Hedgehog said:
cost of parts normally kills modern cars
For me it's the labour that's the killer. I'm a spanner with a spanner, and while the parts are normally not a problem, by the time I've paid Barry to hammer the broken bits off and screw the new stuff on, I'm almost at my credit card limit.I've fumed/wondered about this. On one hand it seems crazy to invest such massive amounts of materials and resources into something, only to have it rendered worthless because the industry really isn't built to keep cars on the road. Its business - much more profitable to sell, and keep selling, new cars. Look at Cuba, you can keep cars on the road if you really want to. When a otherwise lovely car is scrapped because one small electric bit goes phutt its annoying, but lucky for us there are oodles of cheap older cars to buy. We are pretty lucky in the UK in this reguard, what's is it like in countries with very high secondhand car prices I wonder? (You don't have to travel far for these, its crazy in Denmark for example.)
The system does at least mean you can drive modern cars cheaply. I am not sure I would like us to be all trolling about in Austin 7s still. Cars are consumables in the grand scheme of things.
To answer your question: rust and major engine failures if not looked after, otherwise its uneconomic electronic repairs I reckon, and there is not a lot you can do about those.
The system does at least mean you can drive modern cars cheaply. I am not sure I would like us to be all trolling about in Austin 7s still. Cars are consumables in the grand scheme of things.
To answer your question: rust and major engine failures if not looked after, otherwise its uneconomic electronic repairs I reckon, and there is not a lot you can do about those.
LouD86 said:
Its cost of the electronic systems now that kill cars, and the depreciation!! Youll find lovely cars (Lexus LS400 for example), run perfectly, serviceable machine, but if all the ABS sensors went, I guess worth more than the car.
I know from experience, looking for parts for the Subaru I used to drive, when the clutch went, to replace, and fit, it was all the car was worth, so I waved goodbye to it!
This, the theory is you should be able to repair bits and bobs, what will go wrong in an ABS sensor anyway that cannot be fixed?I know from experience, looking for parts for the Subaru I used to drive, when the clutch went, to replace, and fit, it was all the car was worth, so I waved goodbye to it!
I'm finding out that diesel injectors are somewhat troublesome. As are older automatic boxes (seem to have fixed that though).
If you took my car to a volvo dealer they'd likely quote a couple of grand for the 'box and 1500 for new injectors. About what the car is worth.
As it stands I've hopefully kept. It going for a few hundred and a few hours of my time. I can understand why someone else might just get rid.
If you took my car to a volvo dealer they'd likely quote a couple of grand for the 'box and 1500 for new injectors. About what the car is worth.
As it stands I've hopefully kept. It going for a few hundred and a few hours of my time. I can understand why someone else might just get rid.
cml said:
We are pretty lucky in the UK in this reguard, what's is it like in countries with very high secondhand car prices I wonder? (You don't have to travel far for these, its crazy in Denmark for example.)
USA is the same, much to my annoyance. Secondhand values are outrageous. Can't fathom it as new prices are much lower than the UK.If you can do most things yourself, there isn't much that should kill a car until it gets seriously old. Electrics/electronics will be the main thing: a dodgy connector on a loom, an ECU failure, thats expensive.
Gearboxes, unless there is a ready supply of spares/recons is another.
Other than that a few hours and some swearing should fix most things
Gearboxes, unless there is a ready supply of spares/recons is another.
Other than that a few hours and some swearing should fix most things

Perd Hapley said:
cml said:
The system does at least mean you can drive modern cars cheaply. I am not sure I would like us to be all trolling about in Austin 7s still.
I would love that so much!crofty1984 said:
...
I wouldn't say rust was realy a killer nowadays, maybe electrics? Scrappage scheme?
...
This.I wouldn't say rust was realy a killer nowadays, maybe electrics? Scrappage scheme?
...
Just wait until the larger engine cars filter down through the system in 10-15 years time.
You will see a Jag appear on the forecourt or a Range Rover for £3000 and then see the cost to tax the damn thing will be £400 plus a year.
Put people off for a start. They will then be broken up or scrapped.
Great 'green' idea eh?
All I can see the scrappage scheme was for was to 'get rid' of all the older lower tax cars.
Its a shame but I cannot see anyone in the future buying an old V6 or V8 for a laugh as it will be taxed off the road.
mondeoman said:
If you can do most things yourself, there isn't much that should kill a car until it gets seriously old. Electrics/electronics will be the main thing: a dodgy connector on a loom, an ECU failure, thats expensive.
Gearboxes, unless there is a ready supply of spares/recons is another.
Other than that a few hours and some swearing should fix most things
+1 done cambelt water pump/ replaced dual mass flywheel and clutch and replaced shockers all round on mk5 4motion Golf. All these jobs I did them for the first time. Its not to bad.Gearboxes, unless there is a ready supply of spares/recons is another.
Other than that a few hours and some swearing should fix most things

jamoor said:
LouD86 said:
Its cost of the electronic systems now that kill cars, and the depreciation!! Youll find lovely cars (Lexus LS400 for example), run perfectly, serviceable machine, but if all the ABS sensors went, I guess worth more than the car.
I know from experience, looking for parts for the Subaru I used to drive, when the clutch went, to replace, and fit, it was all the car was worth, so I waved goodbye to it!
This, the theory is you should be able to repair bits and bobs, what will go wrong in an ABS sensor anyway that cannot be fixed?I know from experience, looking for parts for the Subaru I used to drive, when the clutch went, to replace, and fit, it was all the car was worth, so I waved goodbye to it!
Edited by Fastdruid on Sunday 5th February 23:02
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