How long should a car last?

A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.


At what age do cars start having problems?

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.

Can a car last for 20 years?

With routine oil changes and at-home maintenance, any of these models could easily last 20 years or more. A few have reportedly reached 500,000 miles. Still, use your own discretion when shopping for used cars with high mileage.


How often should you replace your car?

With regular maintenance using quality parts and lubricants, a modern vehicle should easily last between 300,000 and 500,000 miles (500,000 - 800,000 km).

What age is best to buy a car?

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.


HOW LONG should a car last?



What age is it best to change a car?

A more mainstream model will shed value at an even greater rate. As the car gets older the rate at which it loses value slows down, to the point where it's pretty much worthless by the time it's 10-12 years old.

Is a 10-year-old car too old?

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.

At what mileage should you get rid of your car?

30,000 to 60,000 Miles

It's a good idea to sell your car before it hits 60,000 miles if you don't want to spend a lot of money on repairs and replacement parts. During this mileage bracket, your car should be about five years old, meaning it'll still command a substantial amount.


Which brand cars last the longest?

Toyota earns the top spot as the best automaker for dependability. Toyota vehicles are known for their longevity, and they are proven to last longer than any other brand. Toyotas are built so well they have below-average maintenance and repair costs, which helps contribute to why they remain on the road for so long.

Can a car be driven forever?

In a vacuum (and with infinite fuel), your engine would continue to run forever. But in reality, several things might occur if your car idles for too long. To avoid running your car for too long, you should only idle your vehicle for a few minutes at most before either moving your vehicle or turning the engine off.

How long does a car engine last?

Average engine lifespan

For some time, the average lifespan of a car's engine was eight years, or 150,000 miles. New designs, better technology and improved service standards in recent years have increased this average life expectancy to about 200,000 miles, or about 10 years.


Is it worth keeping a car with 200k miles?

Although it may have been well maintained, the purchase of a vehicle with over 200,000 miles on the odometer might lead to significant maintenance costs. At this point, the car is likely nearing the end of its useful life, and you may soon need to either invest a significant sum in repairs or replace it entirely.

How many miles should a 10 year old car have?

A wary buyer should use as a general rule of thumb that most cars are driven 12,000-15,000 miles per year. If a vehicle is 10 years of age, it should have between 120,000 miles and 150,000 miles on the odometer.

How do you know when it's time to buy a new car?

It depends on a lot of factors, including the condition of your car and your finances. Think about cost, safety, and connectivity. If your mechanic is spending more time with your car than you do and your repair bills are close to new-car payments, it's probably time to trade up.


What is the average age of a car?

The average age of a car compared to the average age of a light truck are nearly the same. We're estimating the average age at 12.2 years in 2022, and 12.3 in 2023, which will be an all-time high. Americans hold on to their cars longer than ever. Ten years ago in 2013 the average age was 11.4 years.

Is mileage more important than age?

Ultimately, car age and mileage both matter when buying a used car. They both affect the vehicle's depreciation rate and they are both interlinked – mileage is taken as being high or low based on a car's age and the older the car, the more miles it's likely to have driven.

Do cars get slower with age?

It should not. There can be minor engine wear resulting in a very slight loss of compression, but that's usually offset by some parts being "looser" and having slightly less friction.


What should a 10 year old change in their car?

In general, 10 year old car maintenance should include checking your shocks and basically everything made of rubber: belts and rubber bushings. Replace your spark plugs. Check your tires for uneven wear and also your suspension parts. Check your brake pads, rotors, and brake lines.

How often should you buy a car?

When you own a vehicle, it's often difficult to know when it's time to replace it. Many car owners make the mistake of assuming that they need to replace their vehicles every few years. The average age of a vehicle on the road is about 11 years, but most drivers keep a car for about six years.

Does mileage matter on a used car?

The number of miles on a vehicle's odometer is one of the most important factors determining the price of a pre-owned car. It's an indication of the amount of wear and tear the car has sustained over time. As such, a vehicle that has higher mileage will most-likely be costlier than a similar vehicle with fewer miles.


Is it better to get an older car with less miles?

It's typically a general rule of thumb to go for the car with the lowest number of miles on it. The more miles a car has, the more likely it is to need repairs and maintenance. This raises the question of whether buying a used car with unusually low miles on it can lead to problems down the road.

Does mileage matter on a car?

A car's life isn't determined by miles driven.

Mileage is just one indicator of a vehicle condition. Theoretically, a vehicle that has covered more miles has more wear and tear, but a car with 60,000 miles on the odometer can easily be in worse shape than one with 120,000 miles.

What cars break down the most?

And if your car frequently breaks down, those repairs can start to add up.
...
Here are the top 5 brands that break down the most and what makes them so unreliable.
  • Chrysler. Chrysler vehicles are some of the most unreliable on the market. ...
  • Fiat. ...
  • Jaguar. ...
  • Chevrolet. ...
  • Lincoln. ...
  • Cadillac.