to think that cars are not made to last these days

[littlemisscynical]

So annoyed today.

Have a 2014 Volkswagen. I've been driving it for nearly three years. There have been a few problems in that time. I don't have much knowledge of mechanics. Today I went to drive the car and the clutch had went. DHs friend is a mechanic and says it might be a big job esp if some cylinder has leaked. I will have no car to get to work next week and I've only just started back from maternity.

AIBU to think cars are being deliberately manufactured to not last so that we have to replace them more?

Lots of people I know lease cars and drive flash motors, replacing them every 2-3 years.

I'm not really a car person so I don't really want to splash out on a car lease payment every month. However now I am starting to think these people are the sensible
ones!!

Should I stop buying older cars and join the masses?

Had my first car a Honda Civic P reg for 10 years and I've had my new Civic 59 plate since new and still going strong. Never failed an MOT or spent any real money on them.

Dunno.

But I buy new and then drive the car til it becomes pointless, cos of repair cost re vehicle value.

Every car lasts longer than its predecessor. My Corsa went 18 years (was still driving perfectly, but all the indicators were of big jobs upcoming).

My Adam is almost 6 years old Working perfectly. I'm loyal to Vauxhall, cos they do me good cars and have a lifetime warranty on some stuff - obviously once this is not cost effective I'll switch to a local garage.

It wouldn't be worthwhile to Vauxhall at least to make their cars to fail, as they have this lifetime guarantee.

I have had two Hyundai and they are fantastic and very reliable. First was an accent which lasted 16 years, was very cheap bought brand new.
It had a new exhaust after ten years but wasn't expensive.
Second was a Santa Fe which also lasted a long time, I sold it on and my friend is driving it now.

I don't agree, I drove some right heaps of shit in the 90s and some older cars that always had something going wrong.

I've had my Clio for 5 years from nearly new and it's been amazing. Nothing has gone wrong. In 5 years apart from routine servicing it's needed a couple of new tyres and new wiper blades. It's lovely to drive and completely reliable. I love it and I'd have another one like a shot.

hyundai again had 2 and 3 Mitsubishi before that so reliable. Google reliability VW was way down

@Lantern92 thanks. That makes me feel a bit better knowing that it is to be expected and not something wrong with the car iyswim. That makes sense as it definitely gave no indication it was going.

Wow @HowlsMovingBungalow what is the make and model of the car? I might have to look about one

I drive skodas and they last ages, just had a 20yr old number sail through its MOT.

I'm wary of newer cars because they are making them difficult to work on DIY and repairs are getting more expensive.

My 2004 Audi is still going strong. Just ordered a new one! Never, ever broken down, zero gone wrong with it so far and has passed every MOT with flying colours. Worth every penny.

Disagree. Just scrapped 16 year old Fabia driven from new. Also had to get rid of 7 yr old Octavia due to being rear ended although the clutch was going in it due to my driving style according to DH. Replaced with one year old automatic SEL Octavia. Love it, love Skodas.

The bodywork on modern cars is also infinitely better. You never really see rusty cars now but it was a common sight when I was a kid

My 2004 Audi is still going strong. Just ordered a new one! Never, ever broken down, zero gone wrong with it so far and has passed every MOT with flying colours. Worth every penny.

You’ve been lucky, they’re decidedly mediocre. I doubt you’ll be as lucky with your next one. I wouldn’t touch any VAG product with a bargepole.

I'm a lucky type of person MaxTeyon New A3 on my driveway right now, ready for the summer and the top down.

Joining the Mazda appreciation, mine is 10 years old and never broken down. Always passes MOT.

I've got a 2002 VW Passat and it's been great. 3 owners from new, last owner was my FIL who gave the car to me. Failed 1 mot in it's 18 years & is a dream to drive.

My 2003 renault scenic on the other hand......

It sounds like you've been unlucky

Stop riding the clutch OP for one... And get a Hyundai.

My 2010 i30 would survive a nuclear war.

@itwaseverthus good luck with that new Audi 😂

Plastic cable ties and fuel lines springs to mind.

My car is a 2008 model, and so much has gone wrong with it since we’ve had it, it’s essentially entirely new parts, with a 2008 outer shell

VAG have 2 brands in the JD Power reliability survey 2018.

I’ve had a few Fords ( Orion , Mondeo and ka) that have all lasted really well , the mondeo had done well over 250k Miles with me when it’s gear box finally gave out . I now drive a 2011 Kia ( from new)and he’s had no major issues and has done over 100k Miles .

Thanks for your good luck wishes, so heartfelt

OP clearly never had an Allegro or Maestro.

Maestro had VW gearbox

Yes.

My dad is a mechanic and has said that newer cars are really not made to be fixed but replaced instead.

As PP said, they're designed so that tinkerers can't fix much themselves!

I'm driving a 2009 Kia Rio 5 Sport, and it's been pretty good. Brakes and rotors as needed, we made sure to do the belts early, at 100,000km and occasionally basic repairs.
160,000km on it and likely good for another 100,000 at least

Having driven some horrendous rust buckets in the 80’s and 90’s I switched to Honda and Toyota and things are so much better, though I still twitch at MOT time due to many previous bad experiences.

Have to say I like starting the car on the mornings without having to have a peg to hold the choke out.