Do I keep my 15 plate FR D, 108k or sell?

[hewittinspain]

I have a 15 Plate Leon FR Technology 181,diesel. I love the car, it gets regularly serviced and I don't thrash it, I've had it since 2017 when it had done 19k.
Last week my car broke down due to a fuel pump (which I'm still getting repaired).

Last year the passenger electric window motor packed in so the mirror doesn't fold in now.
Also had to have glow plugs changed due to engine management light.

Year before that the heater matrix went so had that changed.

My other half is now saying "it's probably time to change my car" because things are starting to go wrong with it. I have a budget of £11000, my car is worth £4000 (£15k). I've looked at 2021 plate Leon FRs but the spec is inferior to my car with basic wheels, inferior trim (mine is the half suede/half leather look).

Do you think a car if my age and mileage may start to incur more problems, maybe injectors or something that may start to go at some point which can cost a lot of money? I know no one has a crystal ball but if I keep my car I don't want to prove her right in the next year or two.

I do have money in an ISA which matures in 2029 so was gonna wait until then, then definitely change my car then as it will have done around 130,000 miles.

Do I jump now and change?
Reason of this post is people on here may have cars at similar age and mileage and may have some input in that. Thank you

 

[MarkDH]

I have a 15 Plate Leon FR Technology 181,diesel. I love the car, it gets regularly serviced and I don't thrash it, I've had it since 2017 when it had done 19k.
Last week my car broke down due to a fuel pump (which I'm still getting repaired).

Last year the passenger electric window motor packed in so the mirror doesn't fold in now.
Also had to have glow plugs changed due to engine management light.

Year before that the heater matrix went so had that changed.

My other half is now saying "it's probably time to change my car" because things are starting to go wrong with it. I have a budget of £11000, my car is worth £4000 (£15k). I've looked at 2021 plate Leon FRs but the spec is inferior to my car with basic wheels, inferior trim (mine is the half suede/half leather look).

Do you think a car if my age and mileage may start to incur more problems, maybe injectors or something that may start to go at some point which can cost a lot of money? I know no one has a crystal ball but if I keep my car I don't want to prove her right in the next year or two.

I do have money in an ISA which matures in 2029 so was gonna wait until then, then definitely change my car then as it will have done around 130,000 miles.

Do I jump now and change?
Reason of this post is people on here may have cars at similar age and mileage and may have some input in that. Thank you

I had a 2008 2L TDI FR in yellow that I absolutely loved. Like you, I didn't thrash it and it had a full service record. Only 86k on the clock.
Unfortunately in 2023 my ABS system went. I was quoted between £1400 & £1800 to fix. It also was coming up to yet another cambelt change.
I also reasoned like you that other things might start going wrong.
I very reluctantly let it go and changed it for a 2018 FR Technology 1.8 TSI DSG.
It only had 18k on the clock and 1 owner. It's a lovely car, don't get me wrong, but I really miss the torque, economy, perceived power and most importantly looks (!) of my old TDI.
So I'd say change it but really consider what you want from the new car.

 

[Rob66]

I'm in a similar situation with my 2008 TFSI FR. Had from new FSH (last 2 indies) and only 62k. Had a few very minor niggles but touch wood nothing major. Has an odd not overly loud rotational noise from rear left that i though was wheel bearing but garage tells me they are ok - tyres are new Dunlops so not those. Has a service on Friday so ill ask them to check it out for me. Another Cambelt and Water Pump next year which is a pricey job. Have been half looking around was considering a new shape Leon, but after the issues we had with my g/fs Formentor decided against it. Value of mine px is only around £2.5k even though it really is pretty immaculate so price to change will be high if i decide to let it go.

Funnily enough Mark i ordered a Red 1.8 FR Tech 3dr in 2014, sunroof, heated seats, diamond cut alloys (thread is on here somewhere) but it was damaged when loading in Barcelona, so i never got it, thought of it as an omen so kept the Mk2

 

[tracktoy]

I have a 2014 leon, granted I have modified it a lot but the basic car is still sound and I love it so will never sell it.

In the past I agree after a certain time buy a new one, but having seen the number of issues the new cars have personally I don't think the new cars are better built than older ones so either way you are going to be facing bills looking after the car.

I would suggest you search out reviews of the cars you are looking into and see what other users have had issues with.
Secondly you need to take the new car for a decent drive and see if it actually gives you more than you have today (I would stress that you are going to use)

 

[MarkDH]

Tracktoy, couldn't agree more about newer cars.
My wife bought a brand new Merc AMG 35 3 years ago.
It has already had 2 major problems - luckily covered under warranty.
And to be honest, I won't drive it. Too many warnings going off all the time. Auto brakes seemingly if a feather falls in front of it and forcibly drags you back over the white line if you swerve to avoid a pothole.
I'm 61 now and fingers crossed, this mk3 Leon will keep going until I stop driving.
It definitely doesn't feel as fast as my old manual TDI, even when using the paddles but I'm not interested in speeding around any more especially since the wife had a moment of brain fog and went through a 30 speed camera that she knew was there doing 45 purely because she floored the Merc off some traffic lights! Oops. Her first offence in 40 years of driving.

 

[SuperV8]

You also should factor in the high depreciation (and insurance and tax) of your 15k vs very low on your 4k Leon, but lets face it - we can't pick a car just from a spread sheet - otherwise we'd all be driving a Prius or Leaf!

There is also the possibility of your newer car also having faults, and the newer cars are getting more and more complicated and more difficult for the average garage to repair meaning more likely the main dealer is required! Security Gateways (SGW) diagnostics for 2020+ SEAT Leon IV vehicles for example.

Yes, if your fuel system were to fail - it would be expensive, but they are generally robust, use fuel additive regularly as they increase the fuels lubricity which helps your pump and injectors.
Your DPF would be a hefty future cost - i'm at 150k miles and my DPF is regening every 70 miles, so looking at options. Driving style greatly impacts DPF life.
Personally i'm more inclined to just put a little bit away each month for a rainy day fund - better the devil you know!