So, when did cars get markedly more reliable? It wasn’t 40 years ago because Brit cars from that time were famously terrible. So, 30 years ago? 20?
The cars on Britain’s roads are getting older and older as net zero plans leave drivers in a tizz about what new vehicles to buy.
About 5.3 million cars are 15 years old or older, according to figures from car marketplace Auto Trader, up from just 1.7m in 2001. The number is on track to rise to 9.3m by 2032.
Cars are ageing in part because of a squeeze on production, which started during the pandemic and is only now beginning to end. Manufacturing issues led to higher prices and prompted motorists to hold onto their vehicles for longer than they otherwise would.
However, many are still reluctant to trade in even as more models come onto the market.
Think on it. If cars – if – do become more reliable into their old age then people will run older cars for longer. So, a possible explanation for this is that there was some switch thrown which made cars more reliable at some past point.
This all seems to coincide with the death of British Layland – so there’s that benefit to it then, eh?