New cars: Watch out for these depreciators or lose out
22 Feb 2012
Every vehicle needs to undergo regular servicing in order to remain in tip top working condition and also roadworthy. The cost of this maintenance will usually vary depending on the type of car and how old it is.
Certain vehicles have been known to be very costly to maintain or service due to poor manufacturing, which results in regular breakdowns or parts falling off. If their spare parts are too expensive or difficult to get, this could increase their running cost.
Owners of new cars will usually not have to worry too much about servicing their vehicles, although they are required by law to have it MOT-tested when they turn three years old. After that an MOT test has to be undertaken every year.
An MOT test checks that cars meet the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards required by law. A certificate will be issued upon passing the test, but it should be noted that this document doesn't mean the vehicle is roadworthy for the life of the certificate.
The certificate is not a substitute for regular maintenance and it also doesn't guarantee the general mechanical condition of the vehicle as the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox are not part of the test.
