Buying a car in 2025 is no longer just a milestone purchase. It is a major financial commitment, with 2026 offering little sign of relief. According to Cox Automotive, the average transaction price for a new vehicle in the United States surpassed $50,000, marking the first time it has crossed that threshold. Even the used-car market offers limited relief. Prices remain well above pre-pandemic levels and financing costs continue to climb.
Monthly payments tell an equally sobering story. According to Experian’s State of the Automotive Finance Market report, the average new-car payment in 2025 reached approximately $748 per month, while the average used-car payment climbed to about $532 per month. Those payments now consume a larger share of household income than they did just a few years ago, particularly as interest rates and loan terms stretch longer.
It is no surprise, then, that Americans are holding onto their vehicles longer. S&P Global Mobility reports that the average vehicle on U.S. roads is now nearly 13 years old, the oldest fleet since national tracking began in 1969. As replacement moves further out of reach, routine maintenance carries far more financial weight than it once did.
To understand which small issues most often turn into expensive repairs, we spoke with Alan Boyer, a third-generation mechanic and owner of Clarks Auto that has been a staple of the Salt Lake community since 1964. He shares what drivers tend to overlook while assuming that their car is “running just fine.”
- Listen to Your Brakes
If you hear a high-pitched squeak when braking, it’s often a built-in “wear sensor” telling you the pads are worn. Catching this early prevents “metal-on-metal” contact, saving you from having to replace expensive rotors down the road.
- Check Tire Pressure with the Seasons
In Salt Lake City, our temperature swings are huge. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, your tires can lose about 1 PSI. Proper inflation ensures better gas mileage and prevents uneven tire wear. If your TPMS light comes on, check your tire pressures first. You can find the recommended pressures in your owners manual.
- The “Penny Test” for Tread Depth
Insert a penny into your tire tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see the top of his head, your tread is dangerously low (less than 2/32”). Good tread is vital for navigating Utah’s winter slush and summer rain.
- Don’t Ignore the “Check Engine” Light
Even if the car feels fine, a glowing light often indicates a sensor issue (like an O2 sensor) that is killing your fuel economy. Addressing it early prevents the “cascading” failure of more expensive parts like the catalytic converter.
- Test Your Battery Before Winter
Heat and cold kills batteries, but the cold is what makes them fail to start the car. If your battery is more than 3 to 5 years old, have it load-tested. It’s a 5-minute check that can prevent you from being stranded in a parking lot during a January freeze.
With vehicles absorbing a growing share of household budgets, the margin for neglect has narrowed. In an era when replacing a car is increasingly difficult, the smallest decisions drivers make about maintenance often have the largest financial consequences.
Feature Image of Alan Boyer, owner of Clark’s Auto, by Dung Hoang.
