TL;DR: Advancements in automotive technology, particularly in self-driving features, have led to vehicles that are increasingly complex and reliant on sensors and chips, making maintenance costly and challenging. Minor malfunctions in these components can render critical functionalities, like self-driving capabilities, inoperative. This shift threatens the viability of affordable, easily repairable vehicles, impacting future accessibility to functional transportation.

In the not-so-distant past, the prospect of acquiring a modestly priced vehicle for around $2,000 and reliably utilizing it for a few years was not only feasible but somewhat commonplace. However, this scenario is increasingly becoming a relic of the past, a trend that has only accelerated in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic era has significantly inflated the cost of both new and pre-owned vehicles, a price surge that continues to affect the automotive market to this day.

The complexity of modern vehicles has escalated to such a degree that certain tasks, such as the installation of accessories or repairs on high-end models like the Range Rover Defender, require incredibly precise operations. For instance, dealers are now faced with the challenge of having to meticulously drill holes in the vehicle’s bumper—a task fraught with the risk of rendering the entire vehicle inoperable due to its intricate network of computers, wiring, and sensors. This intricate web of technology is largely a result of the automotive industry’s push towards incorporating an array of safety features, filling nearly every conceivable space within vehicles with technical components.

This trend poses significant challenges for vehicle owners, particularly in the long term. Consider a scenario where a vehicle experiences a malfunction in its oxygen sensor, a seemingly minor issue that can compromise critical functions, including emergency braking systems—a feature now standard in all new models from manufacturers like Toyota since 2015. However, this issue is not isolated to Toyota; it extends to any manufacturer adhering to modern safety standards, all of whom rely heavily on advanced radar systems and computer chips to integrate such features.

Looking ahead to the year 2045, the concept of acquiring a “beater” vehicle—a term once used to describe an affordable, less-than-perfect car used primarily for its utility rather than aesthetics or performance—might become an exercise in frustration. Upon ignition, drivers might be greeted by a barrage of warning messages, with many of the vehicle’s original features, including various driving aids and emergency braking systems, rendered inoperative. The core of the problem lies in the impracticality of replacing the myriad of embedded computer systems and chips, often at a cost exceeding the vehicle’s value, resulting in a daily driving experience marred by constant alerts and a significant reduction in functionality.

The transition from analog to digital driving experiences underscores this evolution, with innovations such as Tesla’s CyberTruck featuring entirely digital steering mechanisms and Lexus introducing steer-by-wire technology. The dependency on seemingly minor, yet critical components like oxygen sensors becomes a significant concern when their failure can lead to a complete loss of steering control. While these components may be relatively inexpensive, their integration deep within the vehicle’s architecture makes them inaccessible to the average person, requiring specialized technical expertise for replacement.

The shift towards increasingly complex and technology-laden vehicles raises concerns for future generations. The once-common rite of passage—purchasing an affordable, reliable “beater” car during one’s high school years—may become a thing of the past, replaced by the necessity of assuming continuous debt to afford basic transportation. This trend not only reflects a shift in automotive technology but also highlights broader societal implications regarding access to mobility and the changing landscape of vehicle ownership.

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Sources:
Broken Defender: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkpB8okB-xw
In this video, the youtubers (TFL) bought a dealer optioned, winch, which the dealer installed and messed up as they cut through a wire that is completely inaccessible to any repair technician. A whole new frame had to be replaced, with the wires inside.