How Long Do Cars Last? How Long Will My Car Last?

A car: it’s one of the biggest investments many shoppers will make for years. That begs the obvious question, then, of how long the car will last. 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 150,000 miles. That’s shorter, however than many well-built cars that are properly maintained.

While there’s no real way to tell how long a car will stay trouble-free, most mechanics recommend a routine of ongoing maintenance to prevent major parts from failing.

As a general rule, cars that have exceeded 200,000 miles on the odometer are running on borrowed time and may begin requiring additional maintenance in the coming year.

Are Cars Getting More Reliable?

Cars are lasting longer and longer these days. This is especially true when you compare the average lifespan of a car today to the average lifespan of a car built 20 or 30 years ago.

As mechanical parts have gotten more reliable, the lifespan of cars has increased, as a result. Today, major wear parts run longer and perform more efficiently than they have in the past. This, in turn, means fewer large repairs and less maintenance for car owners.

How can You Extend Your Car’s Lifespan?

Want to improve your car’s lifespan and enjoy more functionality for your vehicle?

Here are a few tips to do just that:

• Develop and adhere to a service schedule. When it comes to your car’s lifespan, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While nobody likes spending time at an auto repair shop, arranging to be there on a scheduled and pre-set basis is the best way to avoid surprise visits. In addition to keeping you away from major repairs, regular maintenance also boosts your car’s resale value and extends its engine life.
• Fix small problems quickly. Instead of driving around for a few thousand miles with your “check engine” light on, fix small engine issues promptly. Even tiny engine problems can become major ones if you don’t address them in a timely fashion. With this in mind, contact your mechanic as soon as you notice a funny noise, strange light, or odd symptom during your driving experience.
• Clean your engine annually. You should clean your car’s engine at least once a year. Because dirt and grime can cause your engine to run hot, this layer of yuck puts extra strain on your car’s system and can contribute to things like overheating and a shorter-than-average engine lifespan. Adding a fuel injector cleaner is a great way to beat dirt and grime buildup.
• Let your engine warm up. If you live in a cold climate, allow plenty of time for your engine to warm up before you drive off. Cold weather is hard on your car’s engine and can contribute to a lower-than-normal battery charge. Because of this, your car needs more energy to start the engine. Additionally, cold weather makes your car’s engine oil thick and dense, and the car needs to warm up to move it throughout pieces effectively. For best results, you can also add some gas line antifreeze to help your car function during frigid temps.

Enjoy a Longer Automotive Lifespan

While these tips are simple, they’ll help your car enjoy its longest possible lifespan.