Knut Arild Hareide missed with the KrF convertible

How much does car maintenance cost you per month – and what does the calculation look like?

– The family is currently dependent on two cars. This means that the costs are somewhat higher than when we lived in Oslo and we only had one car. Our two cars are an electric car (Volkswagen ID.4 2022 model) and a BMW 2011 model. Not exactly luxury cars, but two good utility cars. I consider the BMW to be written down. We have had the electric car for two years. In the first year, it held its value. But the fall in value has been significant in recent years. I would assume our costs for car maintenance are approximately NOK 5,000 to 6,000 a month. Fuel costs make up a very small part of the calculation because of the electric car, which we use the most.

How did the costs affect the car choices you actually made? What’s the smartest thing you’ve done to cut costs? What advice would you like to share about smart car maintenance?

Famous people about the joys and sorrows of car ownership:

– I have to admit that for me a car is an effective means of getting around, not a passion. Low costs and efficiency are therefore important. The best thing I’ve done to keep costs down was to get my brother’s old car when he needed a new one. But that’s not exactly advice to share with many. Otherwise, I’m good at cycling to work. This means that the usual operating expenses are kept at a low level.

Happy to wash himself

How do you do maintenance? Polishing? Hand wash or laundry hall? How often? Rust treatment?

– I like washing the car myself. Especially in the summer. But likes to stop by a laundry hall every now and then. Especially in the winter months. I think the costs at laundry facilities have decreased recently. I can also enjoy polishing on nice spring and summer days.

What do you do with tires, change and storage? How often do you change – and what kind of tires do you buy?

– After I moved to the west, I have used deck hotels. Well pleased with it. I change tires when I am told that I have to. About three to four years between each time. And I buy tires, yes.

Meet these happy enthusiasts:

Buy two year old used!

How do you check the history of the car when you buy a used car? And how long does your car have to last?

– My only used car tip is to buy cars that are around two years old. Then the drop in value was large, and for the next four to six years there are few problems with the car. I check that there are no encumbrances on the used cars I buy.

Where do you park your car? Inside – or outside all year round? Do you use drafts if it is outside?

– I park both cars in our double garage. I also had a garage when I lived in Oslo. But my daughter was very surprised when I first got space for the car in the garage.

Is there one, or more, practical and useful features your car MUST have (à la heated steering wheel, trailer hitch…) if money were not a limitation?

– No.

What color is your car? Which ones are accepted? And what color can your car never be?

– The BMW is black, the ID.4 light blue. I like colors that don’t mean you have to have a clean car.

Cab boom

What’s the worst car investment you’ve made – and why did it go wrong?

– Privately, I have made few good and bad investments. But as party leader, I was responsible for KrF having a car in an election campaign that was perceived to be a convertible. I was rightly criticized for not fitting in with the party’s branding. My deputy, Dagrun Eriksen, who has a passion for cars, was on the other hand very pleased.

Which of your car dreams are stopped by your wallet? And what kind of car would you have chosen now if money were not a limitation?

– I really like many of the new electric cars. If I were to single out one, it would have to be one of BMW’s new models.