How Long Does a Car Last? The Average Lifespan

How Long Does a Car Last? The Average Lifespan

How long does a car last? This is how to tell whether it’s time to junk your old vehicle and move on to something new and better.

There’s an old saying, “If you want to get somewhere, you’ve got to know how to get there.” This is especially true when figuring out how long your vehicle should last.

This guide will help you determine the car lifespan, car repairs, and common car problems.

Are you ready to know the answer to “How long does a vehicle last?” Keep reading!

Determine the Car’s Age

The very first step is to determine the vehicle’s age. This will help you determine if the vehicle is still in good shape or if it’s time to trade it in.

The best way to tell a car’s age is to look at its Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN.

The VIN is located on the driver’s side of the dashboard. It usually begins with “1” and consists of 17 numbers.

With the VIN, you can identify any accidents, the age, the number of previous owners, and more.

Check the Car’s Maintenance Records

The next step is to check the car’s maintenance records.

For older vehicles, you can contact your local DMV and get their records. Sometimes you may even be able to get the records from the previous owner.

The records are usually available through a vehicle’s Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) system for newer vehicles.

The OBD can often be accessed from a port located under the dashboard on the driver’s side in newer vehicles.

Run a Diagnostic Scan

Once you find the port, you can run a diagnostic scan with an OBD2 scanner. The scanner will tell you about the car’s condition, including any potential problems you might have.

The scanner will show a series of codes that indicate the problem. You will need to interpret those codes by either researching online or using a program to translate the code for you.

If you take your car for repairs, make sure you take notes on what was done, what parts were installed, and who installed them. This information will be useful when you go to sell your vehicle.

Look for Signs of Wear and Tear

You can also determine how long a car should last by looking for signs of wear and tear. This will tell you if repairs are soon needed or if it’s time to junk your car.

For example, rust on the body, cracked windshield, broken lights, and old tires are all signs that it’s time to get a new vehicle. Cash for junk cars no title no problem

However, you can, of course, fix these items if it is just bodywork. Items can get a little pricy if something is wrong with the car’s engine or other internal issues.

Consider the Cost to Repair

If there are minor issues, you might be better off repairing the car. You can check around your local mechanics for accurate quotes.

If the vehicle is only worth a few hundred dollars, spending a few hundred dollars on repairs would be worth it for the new buyer.

If the car is sold for over $1,000, it might be a good idea to just sell it as-is.

This is especially true if the car has high mileage, especially if the car has a high-performance engine.

Decide Whether to Repair or Replace

You can also determine if you should repair or replace the car if you keep track of your repairs.

If you have made a lot of repairs, but the vehicle keeps breaking down, then it might be a good idea to just trade it for a new one.

You might get a good deal if you junk the car, as you could potentially get up to $500 for the car, depending on the make, model, and condition of the car.

How Long Does a Car Last?

You’ve run all the diagnostics, made repairs, and the car still breaks down. When is it time to scrap it altogether?

The average life span of a car is around 12 years, which is a long time if you consider how much technology and how many new features are added every year. how many miles can a car last on a full tank

But there are a lot of factors that will determine the lifespan of a car.

Many mechanics determine the lifespan not in years but in mileage. Most cars can run well over 300,000 miles without significant repair. how many miles can a car last before it breaks down

However, the average life span will differ between cars. In general, Japanese and European vehicles last a little longer than North American cars.

But there are, of course, exceptions to the rule. If your car received regular maintenance, oil changes, and tune-ups, then there’s a good chance that it could last well over the average life span.

Additionally, it also depends on how you use your car. can a car last 20 years

Did you drive aggressively, did you make repairs after every minor issue, or did you use the vehicle only for local commutes?

A car tends to last longer with highway miles, as there are no potholes and there is less stress on the engine since it maintains a constant speed, instead of slowing down and speeding up with every block.

A lot of things can cause a car to break down. Usually, it is simply old age, or rather the lack of maintenance, but sometimes, the damage is not repairable.

If your vehicle has problems that are not major, it might be a good idea to try fixing it before you decide to junk it.

However, if the damage is not repairable, or if there are a lot of issues, it might be a good idea to just get rid of it and move on to a new vehicle.

Are You Ready to Junk Your Car?

How long does a car last? Now that you know the answer, you can figure out what to do with your vehicle. how long will my car last calculator

If you decide to junk it, why not give us a call! We can give you an accurate quote and will even pick up your old beater for you! how long do cars last mileage