The ageing car parc

Using figures released by various reliable sources, in 2025, the average age of a car in the UK was nine and a half years, up from just over six and a half in 2005. Furthermore, forecasts suggest that by 2028 there will be more than six million vehicles that will be at least 15 years old, which is double the number compared to 2019. 

This is not a trend simply confined to the UK, but is widespread throughout Europe. In fact, according to similar figures from the European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association, the average age of a car in the European Union is older, at 12.7 years. 

Without delving into the socioeconomic reasons for the change, what these figures reveal is the underlying quality of the vehicles that daily transport their passengers to and from their places of work and undertake many other journeys in a typical week. 

However, despite their fundamentally robust designs, as owners and drivers, we also have an individual and collective responsibility to ensure our cars are regularly serviced and maintained, and when necessary, swiftly repaired. This not only ensures that they continue to operate safely and reliably, but also maximises their working life.

Every car has a scheduled service and maintenance plan that the manufacturer has stipulated should be followed for both reliability and safety reasons. These involve checking and replacement procedures carried out either at a set time period, generally annually, or according to the distance the vehicle has covered, whichever is reached first. 

Some of these procedures, such as checking the fluid levels (engine oil, brake fluid, coolant and screen wash etc.), the tyre pressures and their tread depth, as well as the functioning of the lights, can be carried out yourself. However, the majority should be undertaken by a professional technician at a reputable workshop. 

These procedures encompass the driving side of your car, which includes the engine, transmission, suspension and electrical functions etc, as well as the more static, such as the interior and exterior, plus the infotainment and comfort (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems. 

As a result they vary considerably from replacing the oil and filter, fitting new spark/glow plugs and changing the timing and auxiliary belt on the engine, to checking the wear on the brakes or suspension components, as well as making sure your car complies with the legal exhaust emission standards. They also include checking the condition of the wiper blades and the performance of the air conditioning system, so the areas of expertise required to ensure everything is working as it should do, are extremely wide. 

Another must is to ensure that only high quality components are used whenever a part needs to replaced, which is another major benefit of using a reputable workshop.

Irrespective of whether you tackle some of these procedures yourself or rely entirely on a professional, to get the most from your car you must follow these procedures. By putting this policy into practise, you will not only prolong its life, but also ensure it performs at its best both in terms of its reliability and economy.