Ten Reasons Why You Should Always Replace Your Car Mats

It is recommended that you should replace the tyres on your car within 10 years of manufacture, the car battery after about three years and spark plugs after 30,000 miles. But when to change your car mats isn't quite as straightforward.

Your car mats, just like your brake pads, need replacing when they need replacing, and similarly, the main reason is about safety.

If, on the other hand, you like to change your car mats regularly, you are probably safety-conscious, to begin with and like to keep the interior of your car looking good and smelling fresh.

You should always change your car mats when

1. The Heel Pad Is Lifting

If the heel pad is lifting it is probably because the stitching around it has come loose. This is a serious safety hazard as it is very easy to catch your heel as you accelerate or brake.

If the heel pad is lifting you should replace the mats immediately as it could affect your control of the vehicle.

2. Impeding the Acceleration, Brake or Clutch Pedals

This is usually because the car mats are ill-fitting or have begun to 'curl. If a mat is impeding the use of the pedals in any way it should be removed and replaced urgently as it could cause a pedal to become stuck or even worse, cause unintended acceleration.

3. The Mats Slips Around

When car mats slip around it is usually because the mats are again ill-fitting, a 'clip', 'ring' or 'eyelet' keeping the mat in place has snapped or broken off, or they may be universal mats (one size fits all cars) and not tailored to the interior of your car. 

A slipping car mat could also impede the pedals, as above, and the mats should be replaced as soon as possible as the problem won't just simply go away. 

4. A Hole Has  Worn Through 

A hole in a floor mat isn't a good look, it makes the car look scruffy and uncared for. A developing hole (it will only get bigger) has the potential to cause real safety issues as it can easily cause a heel to be stuck. 

A hole in a car mat will also allow damage and wear and tear to the under the carpet the mats are there to protect. The mats should be replaced as soon as possible as the problem will only get worse. 

5. The Mats Aren't Protecting The Full Carpet Area

If the mats aren't covering the full carpet area they are either in the wrong car, or they are universal - one size fits all cars. Universal mats won’t cover the maximum amount of carpet because just like us, all cars are different - they come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. 

If the mats aren't covering the full carpet area, the areas they don't cover will be exposed to all sorts of dirt and liquids which will stain and damage the under carpet and eventually the car floor. Replace with a set of tailored car mats for the exact make and model of your vehicle.

6. The Car Mats Are Mouldy 

Mould is a potential health risk to both you and your passengers. Mould is nasty and can release spores into the air, which can trigger allergic and asthmatic reactions. 

Mould will also make your car's interior smell unpleasant and look unclean. Replace the mats as soon as you can, it's not worth risking somebody's health.

7. They smell bad

A bad smell in a confined space is never pleasant and keeping the windows down all the time is sometimes just not enough. A solid deep clean may do the trick but bad odours have a habit of sticking around.

A driver may get used to a bad odour but the passengers will pick it up straight away. Get rid of the smell by throwing away your old mats and replacing with a new set.

8. You’re Selling Your Car

First impressions count. So if you're selling your car you need it to be as presentable as possible, or even better, have the wow factor. 

Buying a new set of car mats is a great way to sharpen up the look of your car’s interior and give it a showroom feel, making it more appealing to potential buyers. 

9. You Drive For A Living

If you drive for a living it is always nice to do your job as comfortably as you can. And if you carry passengers you know how important it is for them to ride as comfortably as they can. 

A fresh set of car mats will help your passengers to feel at ease as well as making a good impression of the service you’re providing. They will also keep your vehicle looking great and smelling fresh.

10. You Want To Freshen Things Up

A new set of car mats is the easiest way to spruce up the interior of your car and keep it looking fresh. And with a choice of different coloured mats and trims available you can easily create the look you want for the interior of your car. 

Drive a black car? Deep pile black carpets with a vibrant red or blue trim will add luxury, style, and colour to the car's interior.

It Is Important to Buy The Right Car Mats

It is important to buy the correct car mats and fixing clips for the make and especially the model or the year of your car, as the mats should fit as snuggly and securely as possible to avoid any chance of the mats slipping around, impeding the use of the pedals or exposing the under carpet and car floor to possible long-term damage. 

A set of quality well tailored car mats that fit the contours of your car’s footwells perfectly will pay for themselves in the long-term. Well tailored car mats will add to your safety, give your car a stylish interior and help retain the value of your vehicle by protecting the under carpet (and the car's floor) from dirt, water, and general wear and tear.

If you’ve invested hard-earned money on a car you are proud to own, why wouldn’t you want to make the interior look as good as the car does on the outside?

Buying a set of quality tailored car mats isn't a big investment and when you consider the safety, protection, comfort and style car mats give to a car's interior, they should always be changed whenever there is a safety issue, or simply whenever you fancy a change or a freshen up.