The £4 Argos gadget that will make your beat-up car feel like brand new AND boost its value

DRIVERS can update their ageing motors with relative ease and even on a budget with a host of new, modern features that can enhance their driving experience and safety.

Better yet, retrofitting new gadgets onto a decade-old car can not only make it feel brand new, but can even help raise its value.

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A motors expert revealed the easy additions that can boost your cars value (stock image)[/caption]

Speaking exclusively to Sun Motors, Paul Baker, editor of Auto Express, spoke how the average age of a set of wheels in the UK is now almost 10 years old – an increase from an age of seven years and five months recorded a decade ago.

He said: “The average car on UK roads is now older than ever – almost 10 years – as rising new-car prices, supply chain shortages and cost-of-living pressures mean drivers are holding onto vehicles for longer.

“But just because a car is old doesn’t mean it can’t have the latest tech, and with the right upgrades, you can give an older car a new lease of life – without the £40k+ price tag of a brand-new model.”

To that end, he’s suggested seven ways you can modernise an older car – all without completely breaking the bank.

Infotainment Systems

Paul said: “Swap your old radio for an aftermarket unit with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

“Brands like Sony offer slick touchscreen systems for under £400, while Porsche and Land Rover even make factory-style retro units from £1,000 for classic models.”

For the real penny-pinchers, drivers can find basic Double DIN stereo units with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on sites like eBay for as little as £47.

And more feature-rich, portable touchscreen units that stick to the dashboard and include dash cam functionality can be found for around £100.

Dash cams

Dash cams can be picked up reasonably cheaply and help provide peace of mind and evidence in case of an incident.

“Car insurance prices are sky-high nowadays, and older cars typically demand higher premiums because they don’t have all of the latest crash-prevention technology,” said Paul.

“While a few new cars come with dash cams pre-installed, retrofitting one on an older car is a great way not only to provide peace of mind, and have evidence of fault in any incident that occurs.”

We did some digging, and for those on tighter budgets, online marketplaces like eBay are the go-to for a dash cam under £15, but for those who prefer buying from a familiar name, Argos offers the cheapest high-street starting price at around £25.

Retailers like Halfords and Screwfix cater to customers looking for recognised brands, with prices beginning in the £40-£60 range.

Speaker Systems

Replacing old speakers with plush new sets can significantly improve audio quality – something that many drivers find pretty vital.

Paul agreed, adding: “Older speakers can sound thin.

“Replacing them with a new amp and subwoofer system instantly transforms audio quality to rival modern premium systems.”

We found that Halfords offered a great balance of price and quality when it came to car speakers, with their range of branded speakers, such as Pioneer, Kenwood, or their own brand, starting from a very competitive £49.

They also offer a fitting service for those not comfortable with DIY installation.

Reversing Cameras

A very handy addition to your motor, especially with newer systems that can be programmed with the car’s dimensions for accurate guidelines.

Paul said: “Installing a reversing camera can be a really handy addition, especially now that you can get aftermarket options with the ability to programme the car’s exact dimensions in order to generate accurate parking guidelines.

“This really can make the feature feel as if it’s been there from the factory.”

For those wanting an all-in-one kit from a trusted high-street name, both Halfords and Argos are excellent options, with prices starting at a very reasonable £30.

Blind Spot Monitors

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Adding stick on Blind Spot Car Mirrors can improve the safety of your vehicle[/caption]

While not as sleek as factory-fitted systems, retrofitted monitors are a useful safety feature – and can be picked up at a pinch.

“Blind-spot monitoring and even budget head-up displays can be retrofitted and while not as slick as factory systems, they’re useful extras that make older cars feel up-to-date,” added Paul.

For the ultra-quickest, cheapest and surprisingly effective safety upgrade, stick-on blind spot mirrors can be bought for as little as £3.29 at Halfords or around £4 at Argos.

For those interested in a more advanced, high-tech solution, online marketplaces like eBay offer electronic radar-based systems with prices starting from around £40.

Generally, though, you’ll be looking at prices from around £70 plus fitting.

Head-Up Displays (HUDs)

A budget-friendly way to get a feature that is often a pricey option on new cars.

Paul said: “Many of the options available online are much cheaper, although they often fail to provide the type of instant response and breadth of at-a-glance data you’d expect from a factory system.”

Head-Up Displays are a prime example of a gadget found almost exclusively online – with basic phone-based reflector cradles available for as little as £5, while dedicated electronic units that plug into the car’s diagnostic port start from around £15.

Trackers

Simple enough; these help to locate your vehicle if it’s stolen, often requiring a subscription for features like real-time tracking.

“No one wants to lose their pride and joy, and while a tracking device won’t stop thieves from trying to take it, installing one should hopefully make things a lot easier when you’re attempting to get it back,” said Paul.

He added: “Most require a small monthly subscription in order to work – you can also pay a hefty fee.

For an ultra-low-cost tracking solution, many drivers are turning to Bluetooth item finders like Tile or Apple AirTags, which can be bought for £20 to £35 from retailers like Argos.

But for those wanting a dedicated, real-time GPS vehicle tracker, devices start from under £20 while Halfords is the best bet on the high street, offering proper GPS tracker kits from around £50.

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