Car shelf life

[kwicky]

If a motorist does 50,000 miles a year and his car costs approx �6000 to purchase from new is it better to replace the car every 3 to 4 years or is it better to hang onto the car until it is fit for the scap heap and in the meantime paying the exhorbitant labour repair costs of some �85 per hour + parts and VAT..

[sigma]

After four years it will have 200,000 miles on the clock. It only cost �6000, it's resale value will be minimal so it would probably be ready for the scrapyard by then anyway.
Run it till the warrenty expires then replace it.
What make and model is it anyway ?.

[kwicky]

Maybe 50000 miles was an exaggeration as I was trying to state a hypothetical case. The problem I had was to pay a repair bill on a high mileage car that was half the resale value of the car and which is only 3 years old. A debate took place whether it was a wise choice to keep the car on the road by paying exhorbitant repairs or to purchase a new car.

[pug100]

I think the you should ask yourself this, is the car reliable and do I like driving it. If the answer to these is no then sell.
Cars are consumable items but need regular maintenance and unless your are a keen diy mechanic you will need to pay for this.
Figure out how much a new (or nearly new - less depreciation) car would cost and how many services this would pay for on your old car. This may help you make up your mind.