When someone invests in a new car, it’s not uncommon to ask the question: Is this car reliable? It is imperative that anyone who owns a car make regular visits to their car’s mechanic, even if they have a brand-new car. Regular maintenance and care will ensure that your car performs at peak efficiency for as long as you own it.

With few exceptions, major overhauls are generally avoidable. However, evaluate your current situation and determine if a major restyling is in order. Consider the following: Do you spend much money shopping around for a new car every year? Are you comfortable with the way your vehicle functions now?

The car you drive today is valued primarily based on market value, and it’s tough to change market value. However, most manufacturers will allow you to “drive” a used car, or provide you with a trade-in, giving you an opportunity to improve your car’s condition without incurring the major expenses. You should consider what your car is worth and consult a mechanic to help you determine its market value. This, in turn, will help you decide if you need to make any major repairs to your vehicle, or if a few cosmetic touches will get you just as good a deal as a brand-new SUV.

While market value and residual value may be important, so too is safety and comfort. If you are driving a car, it’s vital to check for available safety features, like ABS, stability control, and airbags. A car that doesn’t come equipped with all the necessary safety features will likely be less safe to drive in an emergency, and more likely to end up gathering dust in your driveway. The last thing you need is an unsafe car gathering dust.

Another way to determine your car’s reliability is to ask around. Talk to your friends and family who own SUVs about their vehicles. Chances are they’ll have nothing negative to say about their current car or will only offer praise for their SUVs. If they’re happy, then it’s likely that you’ll be as well. However, if they’re not satisfied, that’s another great reason to stick with your usual SUV, and not look into purchasing a new car.

Finally, the best way to know if your car is reliable is to do some research. Check the manufacturer’s website for a full list of car reliability tests. Then, check consumer reviews online for reviews by real people. If you find a car that seems to pass all of the tests, chances are it does as well. But if you find several that fail, that can also tell you that there may be something wrong with it. Car manufacturers only test their cars for a few hours each year, so it’s unlikely that you’ll run into serious car reliability issues that require you to purchase a new car anytime soon.