You raise a very interesting question.
The tighter the money supply the more creative the evil people get.
The last few years have seen significant increases in car costs, insurance costs and especially parts costs. Also several brands are in a poor state for parts availability as has been said about MG's on here recently I believe? As the new Chinese brands come to these (RHD) shores they are not really set for after sales services and supply chain if you believe the interweb. (Facebook Jacoo owners group is a laugh, sadly for them)
All signs of an increasing pressure on parts?
New cars.
Frightening electronics cost for all the "smart" stuff that is often driven by legal requirements. So MoT fails if it does not work.
Batteries are going to be a target for BEV at 3-5 years maybe, they do seem to be holding out though.
The Range Rover illustrates an issue. Insurance on these has gone up due to theft. I often see them with big steering wheel krooklocks. How long ago did we last see them? It would also seem that exporting them, the old preference, is apparently now being moved to breaking for parts. Even quite new ones. Lack of spares and cost of spares being shocking I have even heard of lower tier bodyshops making repairs and using questionable parts to inflate profits.
I am guessing many of the new smart features will need to be keyed in using computers but that can be hijacked. Everytime you make it more idiot proof you just find the better idiot. Until you come to sell it with the safety and value risks it brings.
Numberplates are to cover for photoID on a car going through city centres and pay gates like parking. As soon as they are nicked report it and get a crime reference number then put a private plate on your car so you can prove the date when the begging letters all come through to the legal plate owner.
I am going to keep my 2016 AMG Estate as long as I am able. Everything post this seemed to rack up the complexity for little driving gain.
