Is buying a discontinued car a good deal?

Some say yes, just as there are others who say no.

However, the great truth is that a number of conditions need to be taken into account.

It's very common for models to be discontinued by brands every year.

In the same way that there are models that are reborn, as is the classic case of the VW Polo and the Ford Bronco, recently.

In fact, it was recently announced that two major popular icons will be discontinued in 2021: 

VW Gol and Fiat Uno will be discontinued at the end of 2021.

And this brings up the following question: 

So, is it really worth buying a car that's no longer in production?

You can find the answer to that question in today's article.

So, shall we check it out?

So, what happens when a particular model is discontinued?

This is actually a very common question that we will answer throughout today's article.

So, we'll first show what happens when a car is discontinued, and then we'll show whether or not it's worth buying a discontinued model.

With the exception of niche vehicles, which become classics when they are discontinued, the market's first reaction is to devalue the vehicle that has just been discontinued.

Ultimately, with the discontinuation of the line, a series of uncertainties begin to take effect.

Spare parts are becoming rarer and more expensive. 

Therefore, it is common for discontinued cars to be overlooked in the used car market, causing their prices to fall. 

Therefore, for the same reason, its commercialization tends to become more difficult.

Ultimately, fewer people are interested in buying a vehicle that is no longer in production.

However, in the case of cars with high sales figures or a high rate of parts sharing with models still in production, this effect is less pronounced. 

A natural reaction to a product being discontinued is to abandon the purchase. 

Many people don't mind buying a car that's no longer in production, but some do worry about it.

So, if you paid a deposit to buy a brand new vehicle that was discontinued before it was delivered to you, know that it's possible to ask for your money back and cancel the purchase.

This, in fact, is what happened as soon as Ford announced its departure from Brazil.

As a result, many people canceled the purchase of models such as the Ka, Ka Sedan, and EcoSport, which were discontinued earlier this year. 

The main issue that weighs on many people considering buying a discontinued car relates to the availability of parts. 

This is an area rife with legislative uncertainties. 

There is nothing that dictates exactly how long a car manufacturer must supply replacement parts for discontinued vehicles.

Article 32 of the Consumer Protection Code states the following:

"Manufacturers and importers must ensure the supply of components and spare parts for as long as the product is being manufactured or imported."

Furthermore, the single paragraph states the following:

"Once production or importation ceases, the supply of parts must be maintained for a reasonable period of time, as stipulated by law."

Although there is a belief that factories maintain a gentleman's agreement to supply parts for discontinued cars for up to 10 years, legally there is nothing that obliges automakers to continue producing the components for that period.

In certain situations, such as with a model that sold well, independent suppliers continue to manufacture components.

But without a legal commitment, and sometimes without the same quality as the original parts. 

But what are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a car that is no longer in production?

This is a common question, as many people are thinking about buying this type of vehicle.

Just like with other types of purchases, taking home a discontinued vehicle has its pros and cons, and that's what we're going to show you now!

Although the advantages of buying a discontinued car are few, they are truly worthwhile.

So, let's get to know them. 

The primary advantage of buying this type of vehicle is directly related to the price.

Many vehicles that are discontinued automatically have their prices reduced.

In other words, the purchase automatically becomes cheaper. 

And for many people, what matters most when buying a car is often the price.

Therefore, the lower price is indeed an advantage, even if only superficially.

A car that is discontinued automatically becomes cheaper.

And the fact that it's becoming cheaper also makes it less of a target for theft. 

Therefore, it's natural that the price of car insurance will also be driven down.

Thus, purchase and protection automatically become accessible for cars that are no longer in production.

If the discontinuation is recent, but the brand remains operating in the country, then that is another advantage that should be taken into account. 

So, after learning about the advantages of buying a discontinued car, now it's time to find out what the disadvantages are.

So, shall we begin?

The biggest fear many people have when buying a discontinued car is the lack of spare parts. 

If the vehicle has not performed well in sales or does not share parts with other models still in production, then this is a serious disadvantage. 

However, one point needs to be taken into consideration in all of this.

VW Gol and Fiat Uno are two examples beloved by the public that had their discontinuation announced.

However, VW and Fiat are active in the country, and they also share parts with other models.

So, in that case, that wouldn't be a disadvantage.

The losses due to the lack of spare parts affect models that had low sales, are imported, and did not have shared parts. 

The moment a vehicle is discontinued, its value automatically decreases. 

Therefore, this temporary depreciation becomes a natural attraction for many people, especially those looking to save money when buying a car.

However, in the future, this benefit of a cheaper car becomes a problem.

Ultimately, after a long time, unless it's a classic, a discontinued vehicle will depreciate even further.

In other words, the difficulties for resale will be even greater. 

Therefore, in order to get rid of the vehicle, it is common for owners to lower the car's price even further.

And that, without a doubt, is a disadvantage!

And last but not least, technologies evolve over the years.

Thus, old technologies that have been left behind are naturally no longer studied. 

Therefore, finding skilled labor for a car that has been gradually discontinued becomes more difficult.

And as bad as it becomes more difficult, the fact that this labor becomes more expensive is even worse. 

And that's a huge drawback. 

And for all those who ask if it's worth buying a car that's no longer in production, our answer is: It depends!

If the car is from a brand that is still actively operating in the country, has had good sales figures, and its parts were shared with other models that are still in production, then yes, the purchase is a positive one. 

However, if the car didn't have significant sales, the brand is gone, and parts weren't shared, then this is a purchase that's not worth it.

So, before closing a deal of this type, our advice is simple:

Take into consideration everything we've just shown you, and in the end, decide for yourself if this is a worthwhile purchase. 

Although we'll do our best to help you, the final decision rests solely with you!

Learn how to evaluate a used car and pay a fair price for it. H2 

And after answering whether it's worth buying a car that's no longer in production, we want to ask you something:

Do you know what to look for in a used car before buying it?

If your answer is no, that's okay.

Our experts have created a special article with practical tips that will teach you how to evaluate a used car before buying.

Therefore, with knowledge you will be able to evaluate a used vehicle and pay a fair price for it.

To begin your learning journey, simply click below.