Every vehicle owner is responsible for maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle for driving on public roads. Driving a defective vehicle is dangerous and could cause costly engine and car body repairs due to accidents. As a car ages, so do its parts and mechanical systems. Those systems need maintenance and repairs to keep the car running well. Here are some other reasons why vehicles are more likely to need repairs as they age.

Older Safety Systems Are Less Effective

Older cars have seatbelts, airbags, and other passive safety systems that work only when a collision occurs. When a collision happens, mechanical and car body repairs fix any damage whenever possible. According to V12, U.S. vehicle fleets have aged by an average of 17% over the last decade. Newer vehicles have active safety systems, such as lane-keeping assistance, emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Those active safety systems are more likely to prevent accidents than the passive systems on older cars.

Accidents Are Virtual Certainties

No matter how well you drive, you could still be in at least one accident that requires engine and car body repairs. The longer you own and drive a car, the more likely it will wind up in an accident you might not have caused. The high cost of buying new and even used cars makes motorists use their older vehicles longer than in the past. The older those vehicles get, the more likely they will require repairs due to accidents. Road hazards also can damage parts and cause accidents that require repair work to restore your vehicle to a safe driving condition.

Parts and Materials Wear Out

Even when accidents don’t happen, maintenance and occasional repairs are necessary. That’s why all automakers include recommended service intervals for all mechanical systems in owner’s manuals. Parts and materials have expected service lives, which require preventive maintenance and occasional parts replacement to keep all vehicles running their best. Unlike new vehicles with relatively few miles on their odometers, older vehicles are more likely to need repairs due to the additional wear and tear they have endured.

When your vehicle needs repairs, you can call or visit our automotive shop to have the problem diagnosed and schedule service. We at Bergen AutoWerks work on all mechanical systems and help make older cars run like new while lasting longer and holding their value better.