When to say goodbye

Illustration by Matt Foster

No matter how well your car has served you, there will come a day when it's time to let it go. It might be that your car is spending more time in the shop than on the road, or that it is no longer safe. Here are the top signs that could mean it's time to part company:

• It needs repairs costing more than its value.
• The vehicle's structural integrity is threatened by a badly rusted floor pan or sills.
• Despite repairs, the car remains unreliable, and it seems likely you could be left stranded.
• It has been in a flood or serious accident.