The longevity of a car is a million-dollar question, as it’s well-known that from the moment a vehicle leaves the dealership, it begins to lose economic value, prompting the perennial inquiry of whether the investment will prove worthwhile over the years of service the car provides.
This curiosity extends even to the purchase of used cars, where one seeks to gauge how many more kilometers the car can endure.
Below, we’ll provide some average data, though it’s important to consider the variability of these figures based on the car model, driving style, and most importantly, whether the maintenance throughout its life has been adequate.
The Average Lifespan of a Car
Providing an exact or even close-to-accurate figure for the average lifespan is truly challenging, as it depends on multiple individual and specific factors related to each model and driver.
Moreover, a car’s lifespan isn’t solely determined by the distance traveled in kilometers; rather, it depends more on the overall condition of the car, wear and tear on its components, maintenance, and other factors detailed below:
- Driving Style: Aggressive driving with sudden braking and rapid accelerations leads to increased wear on the car’s components, thus shortening its lifespan, whereas a more relaxed driving style will likely extend its lifespan.
- Accumulated Mileage: This is the primary focus when assessing a car’s longevity because it’s a measurable data point. High mileage is generally associated with enduring long durations and withstanding wear and tear well. However, it’s important to remember that not all kilometers are equal, as they greatly depend on the manner in which the trips were conducted and the vehicle’s maintenance.
- Proper Maintenance: Essential for extending a car’s lifespan, regular oil changes, filter replacements, brake and suspension system inspections, wheel alignments, etc., according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, promote longevity.
- Vehicle Quality: This is an undeniable factor when choosing a car because with higher quality (although usually more expensive), longevity is likely to be greater in the long run.
- Driving Conditions: Extreme climates (hot or cold) subject vehicles to greater stresses and wear, potentially shortening their lifespan. Poor road conditions or very rugged terrains also influence component wear.
Estimated Mileage for Car Longevity
General studies estimate that a qualitative and well-maintained car can last between 15 and 20 years in use, reaching approximately 250,000 to 300,000 kilometers.
This doesn’t mean that during this time, component replacements and visits to the workshop won’t be necessary on numerous occasions.
Of course, some cars last longer and others are less durable. Assuming that the average driver covers about 15,000 kilometers per year, this means that in approximately 10 years, around 150,000 kilometers are accumulated, which is a fairly high threshold.
Lifespan isn’t solely subject to distances traveled but is also affected by the many other factors we’ve discussed. Nevertheless, there are some ways to obtain additional approximate references, which allow for assessing the possible lifespan of a car, whether new or especially in the case of a used car:
- Maintenance History: Provides important clues about the life the car has had. Knowing if it has undergone repairs, if it has complied with the manufacturer’s recommended inspections, etc.
- Professional Inspection: An inspection by a specialist professional also helps to assess the car’s condition, evaluating wear and potential problems it may have regarding its remaining lifespan.
- Experience and Opinions of Similar Owners: Reviewing owner communities or online forums can offer very useful information about the kilometers covered by owners of similar cars. Likewise, they can be analyzed in specialized publications for this purpose.
Does an Electric Car or a Combustion One Last Longer?
The number of kilometers traveled differs between electric cars and internal combustion engines due to many and varied factors, with battery durability being a crucial factor for electric vehicles.
The batteries of electric vehicles, over time, currently experience clear degradation affecting their range and capacity, although technological advances are improving their longevity.
On the other hand, internal combustion engine cars are subject to greater wear on their mechanical components (primarily the engine), as well as transmissions and related systems, making maintenance even more critical since electric vehicles have fewer moving parts and may require less maintenance in general.