New cars are seductive because they rarely fail. You hand over cash, you get wheels that just work. Plus there’s the safety net. A warranty. Breakdown cover. It all comes with the territory when the paint is still fresh.
Most people aren’t rich enough for that luxury though.
Sure lease rates look competitive these days especially if you check services like Auto Express Buy a Car. But don’t let the marketing fool you. You’re still dropping a massive deposit upfront. Then you commit to monthly payments that eat straight into your household disposable income.
Owning used is actually smarter if you do your homework. Check the reliability stats. Read our Driver Power survey data. That kind of research pays off.
Machines break.
They are complex, finicky things. Treat them perfectly, service them on the nose, and they’ll still decide to rebel at some point. You might check the tire pressures or top up washer fluid, but diagnosing a mysterious dashboard warning light? Swapping a major component? That’s not DIY material.
We aren’t all garage geniuses. That is exactly why breakdown cover exists.
New buyers usually get one to three years of it for free. If you are buying secondhand you’ve likely missed that party. Factor it in. Add it to your monthly motoring budget right now.
Prices are reasonable.
The RAC claims policies start around £5 a month. Money Saving Expert shows options as low as £57 a year for two people. Some insurance bundles it in. I have AA cover linked to my bank account and have used it to revive my classic car more than once. Both at home and stranded on the asphalt.
Relying on luck is not a strategy
You could roll the dice. Skip the cover entirely. Take the risk. But here’s the trap. When things go sideways non-members get hammered with higher fees for emergency call-outs. And the help comes with strings. Maybe a 24-hour wait time. Sounds manageable until you’re idling on a hard shoulder in morning rush hour traffic. Suddenly patience isn’t a virtue anymore. It’s a problem.
Cars are more reliable today than any point in history. Yes. But Murphy’s Law remains undefeated. They will quit on you exactly when you are most pressed for time.
Suck it up. Pay the few quid. Cover the bases.
Did you know you can actually sell your old metal through Auto Express? We help find buyers. We help find better deals for your next ride.
