The future of electric vehicle maintenance

[Moose McAlpine]

I agree, it’s not one thing but a combination of the above and probably more, and for sure the genie probably isn’t going to be forced back in the bottle.

Yes, there are many more factors too. Even noise reduction is a big factor in complexity. Governments play a huge part in it, with their demands being rigid for manufacturers.

We'll never go back to "simple" cars. You hear people say that they'd like them but the reality is they wouldn't, we all like the creature comforts that modern cars offer.

 

[GRW]

That’s the point though, if you introduced a car with wind up windows, carburettors and so forth the market would be very niche.

Is it the fault of manufacturers, for making complex stuff, legislation for complicating emissions etc, or is the consumer for wanting more “stuff”? Or a combination?

I think Parker’s or similar did a comparison of cars now and 50 years ago, and came to the conclusion that, yes modern cars are, as a raw value, higher than previously - but wages are also similarly higher. So the actual % of wages you have to pay for a “new” car was very similar between now and then.

One thing I have noticed is that prices shot up during Covid, and never came back down.

If the pressure upon people's finances continues - then even the vacuous & image-obsessed might be forced to place pragmatism & cost higher up.

If something like (say) a Renault 4 could be bought today - I'd be well happy! Elegant simplicity in design & construction, with simplicity bringing reliability and "repairability" are attributes I'd welcome today, just as people did then..... arguably today the limited performance is far less of a handicap too!

But.... no way are we going to be permitted a carburettor, or something without an ECU etc etc.... even if there was enough of a market for them.

(Covid pushed just about everything up. New Vans are now at ludicrous cost - and again are far too complex etc to be workhorses)

 

[daleyd]

Yes, there are many more factors too. Even noise reduction is a big factor in complexity. Governments play a huge part in it, with their demands being rigid for manufacturers.

We'll never go back to "simple" cars. You hear people say that they'd like them but the reality is they wouldn't, we all like the creature comforts that modern cars offer.

I remember my dad’s viva being knackered at 50k. And that he done pretty well!

Ok the engine was pretty easy to change, but it would need another one doing in fairly short order. It was also temperamental, uncomfortable, not very efficient, had almost no luggage space or safety!

 

[daleyd]

If the pressure upon people's finances continues - then even the vacuous & image-obsessed might be forced to place pragmatism & cost higher up.

If something like (say) a Renault 4 could be bought today - I'd be well happy! Elegant simplicity in design & construction, with simplicity bringing reliability and "repairability" are attributes I'd welcome today, just as people did then..... arguably today the limited performance is far less of a handicap too!

But.... no way are we going to be permitted a carburettor, or something without an ECU etc etc.... even if there was enough of a market for them.

(Covid pushed just about everything up. New Vans are now at ludicrous cost - and again are far too complex etc to be workhorses)

As a % of people’s income though a new car is actually lower (I think quite considerably, but it’s a while since I read the article..) than decades past. I seem to recall car prices have about tracked inflation for the last 30-40 years, even with all the extra things on them nowadays.

It’s easy to look at the raw figures and seem amazed, but you also have to compare relative wages.

 

[GRW]

As a % of people’s income though a new car is actually lower (I think quite considerably, but it’s a while since I read the article..) than decades past. I seem to recall car prices have about tracked inflation for the last 30-40 years, even with all the extra things on them nowadays.

It’s easy to look at the raw figures and seem amazed, but you also have to compare relative wages.

Yes but it's not just the cost of cars Is it.

Houses & Rents have drastically outstripped earnings, as have many other cost of living expenses. Insurance also.

It's about the proportion of typical "disposable" nett income v the cost of buying and running a vehicle.... not just the relative cost in the past v today.

 

[daleyd]

Yes but it's not just the cost of cars Is it.

Houses & Rents have drastically outstripped earnings, as have many other cost of living expenses. Insurance also.

It's about the proportion of typical "disposable" nett income v the cost of buying and running a vehicle.... not just the relative cost in the past v today.

In terms of cars, yes it is about the relative cost. It’s not really Nissans fault house prices have skyrocketed…

 

[reb78]

I remember my dad’s viva being knackered at 50k. And that he done pretty well!

Ok the engine was pretty easy to change, but it would need another one doing in fairly short order. It was also temperamental, uncomfortable, not very efficient, had almost no luggage space or safety!

Got one in the garage (OK, it's a Magnum with the slant 4 1800 engine). That's on 80k and comfy enough.

 

[daleyd]

Got one in the garage (OK, it's a Magnum with the slant 4 1800 engine). That's on 80k and comfy enough.

My dad’s was a brown 1.3. Not his finest purchase…

 

[DanZac]

Yes but it's not just the cost of cars Is it.

Houses & Rents have drastically outstripped earnings, as have many other cost of living expenses. Insurance also.

It's about the proportion of typical "disposable" nett income v the cost of buying and running a vehicle.... not just the relative cost in the past v today.

But by the same token, the cost of many things has come down significantly. Electronics. white goods. clothes, to name a few are all considerably cheaper and more affordable than they have ever been.

 

[premmington]

@GRW what you are describing is "transport poverty"...

We are not quite there as yet - it looks like it is coming - but I am sure it won't...

Breaking the chain of supply of used cars - down the chain - is the catalyst to it...

But the market will settle down - find it's own level - it always does in the end.

The big finance houses - will come up with something - they need the second and third tear car buyers as much as these buyers need the cars.

The cost of motoring is going to go up - that is one thing I know for sure.

 

[Moose McAlpine]

The cost of motoring is going to go up - that is one thing I know for sure.

With current events expect fuel prices to go through the roof.

 

[premmington]

With current events expect fuel prices to go through the roof.

"conflict in the Middle East" always has that effect...

 

[reb78]

My dad’s was a brown 1.3. Not his finest purchase…

Haha. Mines bright yellow with a black vinyl roof. Not many left.

 

[Smallfry]

As a % of people’s income though a new car is actually lower (I think quite considerably, but it’s a while since I read the article..) than decades past. I seem to recall car prices have about tracked inflation for the last 30-40 years, even with all the extra things on them nowadays.

It’s easy to look at the raw figures and seem amazed, but you also have to compare relative wages.

This all depends on what peoples income you are taking the percentage of. Lot of difference between £20k and £75k

The one and only time I bought a new car was in '96, but I sold it after 18 months because the repayments on the three year loan, and the depreciation frightened me. Since then, I have never paid any more than £1500 for a daily, the only exception being my little 04 plate ex demo van, that was nine months old, (I still have it) and the others have lasted at least six years.

Looking at the figures some of you guys spend on blimming cars, you could be mortgage free and have a comfortable retirement by now

 

[Erie Fred]

Yes, there are many more factors too. Even noise reduction is a big factor in complexity. Governments play a huge part in it, with their demands being rigid for manufacturers.

We'll never go back to "simple" cars. You hear people say that they'd like them but the reality is they wouldn't, we all like the creature comforts that modern cars offer.

"Bring back the YUGO !".......

 

[addjunkie]

"Bring back the YUGO !".......

Lada niva!

 

[Erie Fred]

"conflict in the Middle East" always has that effect...

"Drill baby Drill"......Oh wait....so sorry....

 

[daleyd]

This all depends on what peoples income you are taking the percentage of. Lot of difference between £20k and £75k

The one and only time I bought a new car was in '96, but I sold it after 18 months because the repayments on the three year loan, and the depreciation frightened me. Since then, I have never paid any more than £1500 for a daily, the only exception being my little 04 plate ex demo van, that was nine months old, (I still have it) and the others have lasted at least six years.

Looking at the figures some of you guys spend on blimming cars, you could be mortgage free and have a comfortable retirement by now

It’s average price of cars vs average income. As a % it doesn’t matter if the income is 20k or 100k.

That’s the thing with % - it’s a ratio. If you spent 25% of your income in 1975 on a car and 25% of your income in 2025 then the ratio is the same, though the amounts are obviously different.

For all the talk that it’s now almost unaffordable to buy a modern car, the reality is that as a % of income it’s about on par with inflation compared to years or decades ago.

 

[Dapph2]

Its available in most places, not just Vegas…but what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

I had a look recently at the newer versions of this, if your a buyer of new, they dont seem badly priced and drive quite well. Their new pickup same running gear drives well too. The Rexton commercial for example seems good value, as a work horse. Or if big towing motors are you thing you could buy two for the price of a similar specced Discovery or similar.

Except whe you come back to the UK and have to take it to the clinic .

 

[premmington]

It’s average price of cars vs average income. As a % it doesn’t matter if the income is 20k or 100k.

That’s the thing with % - it’s a ratio. If you spent 25% of your income in 1975 on a car and 25% of your income in 2025 then the ratio is the same, though the amounts are obviously different.

For all the talk that it’s now almost unaffordable to buy a modern car, the reality is that as a % of income it’s about on par with inflation compared to years or decades ago.

In 1983 a new entry level Ford Sierra was about £4500 (ish). Google suggests average wages in 1983 were £8k (ish) a year.

Google suggests average UK wage in 2026 is over £30k up to £36k a year (depending which source you use) and an entry level Ford Focus starts at £29995 OTR - rising to £34.000 for higher spec models.

@daleyd If you working with percentages of income - the only conclusion you can come to is - either cars are more expensive or wages are lower now...

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What I think we all can agree on is: Housing costs be it either rent or purchase price - have gone up worse than the price of cars.