At what mileage should a car be replaced?

Author: Mozell Bins Sr.  |  Last update: Friday, June 27, 2025

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.

What mileage should you replace your car?

Standard cars in this day and age are expected to keep running up to 200,000 miles, while cars with electric engines are expected to last for up to 300,000 miles.

What is the average lifespan of a car?

According to a report from Consumer Reports, the common lifespan of a car is still estimated to be about eight years or 150,000 miles. Of course, the results of this report should be considered as the average lifespan overall, and not necessarily what you can expect from your car.

At what mileage does a car start having problems?

Most cars typically start experiencing issues around 100000 miles. However, this can vary significantly depending on several factors, including: Make and Model: Some brands are known for their reliability and can last well beyond 200000 miles, while others may have issues sooner.

At what mileage should I change my car?

While mileage specifics depend on car make and models, you can start thinking about scrapping your car once it's exceeded 100,000 miles for petrol (or up to 150,000 miles for diesel) with proper maintenance. Between 50,000 and 100,000 miles is when you can expect more frequent repairs and replacements.

Keep Making Car Repairs or Just Buy a New One?

At what mileage is a car not worth fixing?

Age and Mileage of the Vehicle

Based on this figure, a 10-year-old car would have approximately 135,000 miles on the odometer. At this mileage, major components like the engine, transmission, and suspension system may be nearing the end of their lifespan, increasing the risk of costly repairs.

How often does the average person replace their car?

The average time that Americans have owned a car the longest is about 8 years. Americans are keeping their cars for longer periods of time, with the average age of vehicles at 12.5 years.

At what mileage do most cars break down?

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.

What age should you replace a car?

There is no definitive answer to how often you should change your car, as it depends on various factors including the car's age, mileage, maintenance costs, technological advancements, environmental impact, personal circumstances, resale value, reliability, cost of ownership, and personal preferences.

Which car brand has the longest life expectancy?

Longest-lasting vehicles
  • Ford F-350 Super Duty, 49.1%
  • Toyota Land Cruiser, 47.9%
  • Toyota Tundra, 47.9%
  • Toyota Sequoia, 47.1%
  • Ford F-250 Super Duty, 43.6%
  • Honda Pilot, 42.7%
  • Toyota Tacoma, 41.7%
  • GMC Sierra 2500HD, 41.3%

At what age are most cars scrapped?

Here at BMS Salvage we know a thing or two about scrap, so we thought we'd lay it all out for you to answer that very question. On average, cars tend to be around the 14-year mark when they reach the crusher, and that is a figure that tends to remain the same year-on-year.

How many years should you keep a car?

How long you should keep a car is up to you. Some estimates suggest the average length of ownership of a new vehicle in the U.S. is more than 8 years. “Average” is the operative word here. Some people trade automobiles like baseball cards, while others drive a car until the wheels fall off.

At what mileage should I sell my car?

60,000-70,000 miles: Most manufacturers' powertrain warranties expire in that range, and the second major maintenance is scheduled to occur. Selling before reaching those benchmarks will get you a better price for your car than selling afterward.

What is the best time to replace a car?

The average lifespan of a car nowadays is almost 12 years, or 200,000 miles, provide it's been maintained regularly. That's probably the breaking point at which you should consider changing it.

Is a 17 year old car too old?

Cars 15-20 years old are nearing the end of their service lives. While they're the cheapest to buy, unexpected and costly repairs can upend the lower initial cost.

What car is ranked #1 in reliability?

Usually, Toyota or its sister brand, Lexus, sit atop reliability rankings. But for 2024, it's the brand famous for its Symmetrical all-wheel drive and boxer-four engines.

What car has the least problems?

According to a recent study by Consumer Reports, Toyota and Lexus were the most reliable vehicles in 2022. After Japanese cars, BMW was ranked third, while Mercedes' reliability was rated the lowest.

What do mechanics say is the most reliable car?

When it comes to brands, Lithia notes that mechanics say the most dependable auto brands are Honda and Toyota. These cars can, when properly maintained, take you 200,000 miles or more. And which specific cars do these mechanics like best? Not surprisingly, the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla come out on top.

At what mileage do cars become unreliable?

Much comes down to keeping your car well maintained. If you follow the manufacturer's service intervals, a modern car from a brand known for reliability should be capable of 200,000 miles or more.

How long should you keep a car before trading it in?

You can trade a financed car at any point, but you may want to consider waiting a year or more. This is due to depreciation, which can see a new vehicle drop as much as 20% in value during the first year of ownership. However, if you have negative equity on a vehicle, you can still move forward with a trade.

At what speed is your car most efficient?

Midsize conventional gasoline cars achieve their best fuel economy at 55 mph. The fuel economy of midsize conventional diesel cars declines gradually from 45 to 55 mph and then drops quickly thereafter.

What is the average car payment?

Average monthly car payments for new vehicles jump slightly year over year. The average car payment for a new vehicle is $737 monthly, according to Q3 2024 Experian data — up 0.7% year over year. Used cars have an average monthly payment of $520, down 3.3% over the same period.

How long should you keep a car before replacing it?

It is generally advisable to consider replacing your car if it's over 10 years old or has accumulated more than 150,000 miles. Older vehicles may require costly repairs and lack modern safety features.

How often do people really change their oil?

Conservative estimates for oil-change intervals used to be as low as 3000 miles, before significant improvements in fuel-delivery systems, engine materials, manufacturing methods, and oil chemistry. Today, modern engines driven normally stretch intervals to 7500 or even more than 10,000 miles.

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