CARPLAY IN A CLASSIC ? HOW TO MAKE AN OLD CAR FEEL LIKE NEW

Can fitting the latest aftermarket infotainment and safety technology give your old car a new lease of life? Well, yes... and no

- Tom Jervis

HERE in the UK we live among an ageing population, and that goes for cars just as much as people. The latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows that the average car on UK roads is nine-and-a-half years old; a third of cars are more than 12 years old.

This, alongside a dwindling number of private new-car buyers, suggests the country is turning its back on newer vehicles in favour of keeping older workhorses. But given the allure of gadgets promised by the latest models, is it possible to install the latest tech in an older car? The short answer is yes, but whether it's worth doing so is more open to debate. First, however, we need to understand exactly why people are hanging on to their cars for longer.

For one, car reliability has vastly improved over the past few decades. Ben Townsend, head of automotive at vehicle risk intelligence firm Thatcham Research, told us: "The automotive industry has made tremendous strides in increasing the lifespan of cars in recent years.

This stems from focusing on reliability, utilising higher-quality materials, refining manufacturing processes, and enforcing strict quality control." Secondly, cars are becoming more expensive.

A new BMW 3 Series Coupe M Sport would set you back a snip over £25,500 two decades ago.

Today, you won't get a foot in a base new BMW 4 Series (the contemporary equivalent) for less than £45,000 - a rise of roughly 76 per cent.

This figure is generally in line with wage increases and inflation, but it's important to point out that prices for things such as property and food have risen far above this for years, meaning households have less disposable income.

With this in mind, eBay Motors loaned us its 2005 BMW 330Ci. This is fitted with tech bought from its online marketplace and shows how far you can go in terms of modernising an old car.