Are you starting to think a little too hard about if your car is on its last leg? How many miles does a car last on average? Today’s new vehicles last longer than vehicles over a decade ago because they are manufactured with parts designed to take on extra wear.
Also, lower maintenance costs and less repairs may lend you to hang on for a while longer.
I examine the various factors that can dictate how long a car lasts and give you a fair estimate on how many more miles you can expect to put on it. I also give you some tips on how to make your vehicle last longer.
How Long Do Cars Last?
According to The Bureau of Transportation, the average life of a car is approximately 12 years or 200,000 miles. Life span numbers continue to rise as technology helps vehicles last longer in general.
Most of the time, we can safely assume that most cars are built to run to 200,000 miles when properly maintained, but electric engine technology should potentially allow for a much longer span of 300,000 miles.
There are lots of benefits to holding a vehicle longer. Not only can you save more money, by not paying for a newer model, but you could be saving even more by not paying insurance on it.
On the other hand, while your car is “older”, some people don’t like the unknown of driving an older car and are not happy with those additional repairs costs that hit when little things break.
It will be vehicle dependent on whether or not you can keep a vehicle longer, how much you maintain it, and some manufacturers have a reputation for reliability and therefore have a better chance at lasting longer, or not.
If you want to keep a car going for longer, again, I think you need to put in some research and make a wise model decision.
5 Ways to Extend Your Car’s Life
#1. Stick to a Service Schedule.
All auto manufacturers provide maintenance recommendations with their vehicles. When it comes to the regular maintenance of a vehicle, a little bit of prevention can save a lot of headaches down the road.
Some vehicle maintenance is very simple and you can do it yourself. It doesn’t take a whole lot of expertise to do an oil change or replace a cabin air filter.
But, there are things, like changing spark plugs, or replacing a fuel filter, where you may need additional assistance depending on the make and model of your vehicle.
Part of taking the service schedule and making yourself a calendar is planning the appointments when it is convenient for you so you can possibly avoid surprise repairs.
#2. Fix Minor Problems Promptly.
Some drivers will approach car issues head-on and some will drive around for months with the Check Engine Light on. If you want the engine to last as long as you can possibly get it to last, you should be taking every issue, regardless of how small, as a serious matter in regards to performance.
The second it shows some symptom of a problem you need to have it looked at. If you let small issues go for too long, it can quickly become larger issues.
For example, simply removing a fouled spark plug, which cost only a small amount, caused by driving the vehicle around would have cost you a new catalytic converter, or one or more of the electronic components (like fuel injectors), which could cost you $2,500 or more.
#3. Clean the Engine.
Most people don’t clean the engine, but you should. Over time the engine accumulates contaminants and dirt. That layer of dirt adds a small level of stress to the motor, and can lead to potential overheating or a reduced life.
It is easy to reduce the level of contaminants and dirt you let into the system, by using a simple fuel injector cleaner. You can also use synthetic oil, which will keep the engine cleaner, and typically last longer than conventional oil.
#4. Allow the Engine to Warm Up.
If you find yourself living in a colder climate, it’s a good idea to allow your engine to warm-up before taking off down the street. With today’s remote start systems, we’re able to allow the engine to warm-up inside without even leaving the house.
Cold weather can do a number on your engine and is also a factor for battery failure. The colder it is outside, the more energy the engine needs to start.
The oil can also become thick, or more dense in cold temperatures. The oil won’t circulate as it should until the engine is warmed-up.
#5. Drive Wisely.
If you make fewer trips, you can help extend the life of your engine. But the goal should not be to stop driving; it should be to do all of your errands at one time and drive the car a couple of times a week instead of short drives each day.
When going on a short drive, the exhaust cannot evaporate out the condensation in the exhaust due to the cold weather. If condensation sits in the muffler long enough, it can cause rust. Also, short trips do not recharge the battery.
Also, if you want to prolong the life of the engine, you should take it easy on the engine, do not push it around, and try to maintain constant speed when feasible. With a little bit of care, you can probably get your vehicle a few more miles down the road.
How many miles do cars last?
The average car lasts approximately 200,000 miles; however, certain models can last much longer.
For example, mileage is not the only factor in automobile lifespan. Car styles or brands, how well maintained the car is, how you drive it, and the environment you drive it in, also all influence how long any car’s lifespan will be.
How many kilometres do cars last?
The average car lasts approximately 300,000 kilometres; however, a car can have either a shorter or longer lifespan based on your care of the car and other various factors.
What cars last the longest?
Asian brands, for example, toyota and honda, are the most known and popular brands for reliability and longevity. They occur at a higher rate than American brands such as chevrolet or ford.
Are 10-year-old cars worth buying?
That all depends lol and there are many variables in the calculated worth of a hundred ten year old car. The number one variable is the odometer mileage.
If a 10-year-old car has 200,000 miles, then there is a very high risk of parts beginning to fall apart or scrap! It is also important to consider how well the car was maintained in the past.very good chance that parts will begin to loosen and fail.
It’s very important to also see how well a car has been maintained over the years.