While this number is influenced by many factors, there are some tried-and-true tactics to figure out the average lifespan of your vehicle. Here's what you need to know. HOW LONG DO CARS LAST? According to Consumer Reports, the average lifespan of today's cars is about eight years or 240,000 kilometres.
In the past, the average lifespan of a car was significantly lower than it is today. Now, you can expect a standard car to last around 12 years or about 200,000 miles. More advanced vehicles like electric cars can go even longer, up to 300,000 miles.
It's worth remembering a new vehicle is a long-term investment. Our survey found Aussies typically hold onto their cars for about six years before upgrading or switching models.
If you drive a new car for 8-10 years, you will have maximized its value while also minimized any safety risks that tend to appear due to age. I assume an average annual mileage of 12,000. Of course, if you don't drive much, you can easily extend your car ownership period.
Be Cautious With Anything Older Than 12-15 Years Or 150,000 Miles. Now that we have the variables out of the way, it's time to dive deeper into what “problems” your car can run into as it ages and accumulates miles.
When buying a used car that's 10-years-old or older, your primary concerns are purchase price and reliability. Don't pay more than that 10-year-old car is worth. And, pick a car with a solid reputation for dependability. No car is really too old if you follow those rules.
Typically, putting 13,000 to 14,000 miles on your car per year is viewed as “average.” A car that is driven more than that is considered high-mileage. With proper maintenance, cars can have a life expectancy of about 200,000 miles.
A reasonable mileage would range from 15,000 to 20,000km per year, with anything beyond that considered high mileage. A 5-year-old car with normal usage would typically have about 100,000 km on its odometer gauge, for example.
Topping that list is the Toyota Sequoia, which has a potential lifespan of 296,509 miles, according to a new study from iSeeCars.com. The automotive research website analyzed more than 2 million cars to determine which last longest and found that 20 models are able to endure for more than 200,000 miles.
Mileage is part of the puzzle – but it's not the “be-all-end-all” of used cars. There's no guarantee that a car that's only been driven for 20,000 kilometers is in great shape – and a car that's been driven for more than 150,000km can easily provide you with years of reliable performance.
Do kilometres matter when buying a car? In general, buyers often want the car they are buying to have less than 100,000 kilometres on the clock at the time of purchase.
Americans own their longest-kept cars for an average of about 8 years. In our sample, 64% have only owned their current cars for 5 years or less. 80% of Americans considered cost before buying a new car. Top factors that Americans consider before purchasing a new car are cost, fuel economy, maintenance and performance.
Nonetheless, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, Suzuki and Subaru did best; Holden, Ford, Audi, Jeep and Volkswagen were the worst.
The report found that Lexus and Toyota make the most reliable cars, while Jeep and Mercedes-Benz make the ones you can depend on least. But those rankings reflect an average of all the cars each manufacturer builds. There can still be variation within any one brand.
Toyota vehicles have exceptional longevity and some of the most reliable engines in the industry. This is due to the company's meticulous approach to design and production. The quality management systems ensure any defects are detected and eliminated before the vehicle is sold to the customer.
What's the “Sweet Spot” for Used Car Age? In retaining “like new” quality and inheriting a slower depreciation rate, the best used car age for buying is 2-3 years. In fact, Americans are saving up to $14,000 on a 3-year-old vehicle.
Basically, the rule goes that you provide a down payment of 20% of the balance, sign a loan for a four-year period, and pay no more than 10% of your monthly income on car expenses. These expenses include any money you put towards your new vehicle, including gas, insurance, and loan payments.
The average car travels 12,000 miles per year. So if you're looking at a 10-year-old vehicle, around 120,000 miles on the odometer is typical. But some vehicles travel more, and some travel less.
It's always worthwhile to assess the service record of any used car, and if it hasn't been consistent, then it could be cause for trouble. Most cars around the 200,000-kilometre mark and above with a reliable service history should be an excellent purchase if the price is right.