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How Long do Cars Last?
How Long do Cars Last?
Whether buying a selling a car, you’ll likely discuss with the other party how long the car will last. A car’s lifespan. This can be a make or break for buying/selling that particular car. A lot of Sacramento drivers look for car's that will last, what with commuting and everyday needs.
If the car has a long lifespan and is only midway through it, a sale is much more likely. At Capital City Auto Auction, we want the mileage to actually mean something to you. And the only way it does is context!
What is the average lifespan of a car? We want to know the best and worst car lifespans by make and model, because that impacts your bid. We’ve sold thousands of cars, each with a recorded mileage when it left the auction lot.
This data tells us how much value drivers got out of their car and how much life is still in them. What we mean is, when a bidder buys a car with 200,000 miles on it, with the intent to drive, then that bidder believes the car isn’t done yet. 🛞
The Average Lifespan of a Car
Carecareportal praises Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, Scion, and Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports calls out Toyota and Lexus by name.
The Bureau of Transportation says that the average car lasts roughly 12 years or 200,000 miles. That’s actually 16,666 miles per year, a little above the average. It’s generally applied that, in America, we drive our cars between 10-15,000 miles annually.
It depends on how much commuting or adventuring you do. 🛣️
Do you know the cheapest cars to repair?
But, sadly, many cars simply DO NOT reach 200,000 miles. And we don’t mean because of accidents, bad weather, or aliens. 😞 Some cars are just built better.
Any bidder needs to know that all cars aren’t created equal. While it’s a fact you’ll save money at Capital City Auto Auction, you don’t want to “save” on something unreliable. You want to know which cars are truly worth buying with the intent to drive.
Of course, if you’re bidding for parts or a car to fix up but not drive much or sell, then it’s a different story. 🔧
How to Read Car Longevity Data 💽
This is important!
If a car shows up on the auction lot with a lot of miles and sells, you can be sure that owners got a lot of value out of it, and that buyers think there’s more left in the tank!
Carmakers with the Longest Lifespans 🚗
Mechanics, testers, and everyday drivers will agree that along with how you drive and how you maintain, one of the most impactful factors on a car’s lifespan is WHO MADE IT. The car brand matters! 🛻
We looked at the average mileage of car brands as they’re sold and put together our review of how long cars last.
Acura
Average mileage of car when sold: 196,206
Acura comes from Honda, so we’re not surprised that average mileages are up close to 200,000. At 196,000 miles average and driving around 12,000 miles per year, that’s about 16 years of life, and with dozens pushing 250,000, an Acura’s lifespan can commonly be 20 years. MDX is a model that particularly lasts quite a while.
Audi
Average mileage when sold: 146,840
Audi is an expensive car to repair and usually won’t last as long as the reliability heavy hitters on this list.
BMW
Average mileage when sold: 176,718
BMW is also expensive to maintain, but you can expect a good lifespan out of the 3 and 5-Series especially. We’d expect over 120,000 miles, not be surprised at 150,000, and be impressed at 200,000. It’s happened, though. 😀
Buick
Average mileage when sold: 133,689
Lots of older Buick's (late 90s) pass through our Sacramento auction lot, but we don’t see a ton of them hit 200,000 miles and beyond.
Cadillac
Average mileage when sold: 120,692
While you will get a great deal on a Cadillac, they don’t rank high in terms of lifespan. Expect 175,000, though we have seen a few break 200k. Just know that if you really want a Cadillac, it may only have a few years left on it by the time it reaches the lot.
Chevrolet
Average mileage when sold: 175,664
Chevrolet is a popular choice and the lifespan is solid. Many of the models that come on our auction lot are over 150,000! A Chevy, especially a truck, is built with a typical lifespan well over 200,000 miles and likely over 20 years of sustained use.
Chrysler
Average mileage when sold: 146,208
We’ve seen a few Chryslers hit 200,000 miles and more, but the average mileage you see is fairly representative of a Chrysler’s lifespan. Expect your Chrysler to serve you well, when cared for, until between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. Anything above 200k is a plus. 👍 However, we do have to say that those Town and Country’s have quite a life in them. Look out for those!
Dodge
Average mileage when sold: 166,974
Our data tells us that a Dodge will have an average lifespan just shy of that 200k mark. Specific models that pushed high mileage consistently were the Grand Caravan, Ram 1500, Durango, and Dakota.
Ford
Average mileage when sold: 169,543
Ford is another popular brand. ⭐ There are a variety of Ford models that last past 200,000 miles. Ford’s F-Series, specifically, are known for longevity, as you see here. You can bet the farm on a well-maintained Ford hitting 250,000 miles.
GMC
Average mileage when sold: 202,613
Sierra 1500 and 3500’s as well as Yukon’s pushed this average up. Those GMC trucks are built to hit 200k in stride, so if you’re looking for a truck, consider one of them. 💪
Honda
Average mileage when sold: 200,910
Honda’s are everywhere. And for good reason. Various models breach 200,000 miles, from Pilot’s, to Odyssey’s, to Civic’s and Accord’s. At 200k, your Honda, if maintained right, has a long way to go.
Hyundai
Average mileage when sold: 151,580
While some Hyundai’s reach 200k and beyond, most don’t. Hyundai’s will get you to 150,000, 175,000, and there’s a good chance you’ll hit 200,000, but the average lifespan is closer to 150k than 200k, unless you’re OK with a lot of repairs piling up. 💰
Now is a good point to remember that just because the odometer is high DOES NOT mean the car is worthless to you. High mileage cars are closer to their life’s end, it’s true, but they ARE NOT DEAD YET.
Infiniti
Average mileage when sold: 171,730
With a few exceptions, Infiniti’s are not known for hitting high miles. As you browse our inventory, and see an Infiniti pushing 200k or over, its lifespan is likely almost done. If you’re looking to put plenty more miles on an Infiniti, look for ones between 100-140,000 miles. They have a lot of life still in them!
Jaguar
Average mileage when sold: 131,310
Jaguar is another luxury car that doesn’t often see past 150,000 miles, let alone 200,000. 🥱
Jeep
Average mileage when sold: 177,176
Grand Cherokee’s are typically the Jeeps to make it past 200k. While Jeeps can be difficult to maintain, they are fun. 🤙 Look for one closer to 100,000 miles when you browse the Capital City Auto Auction inventory, and you’ll get another 70-100k miles out of it, or more if it’s a much-loved Grand Cherokee.
Kia
Average mileage when sold: 155,866
Kia’s don’t have the longevity of Honda’s, Toyota’s, Chevrolet’s, and Ford or GMC trucks, but you can trust your regularly maintenanced Kia to get you to 175,000. It’s a bit up in the air after that.
Lexus
Average mileage when sold: 181,140
Lexus is from Toyota, so reliability runs in the blood. You can trust a maintained Lexus to definitely hit 200k and there’s a decent chance it’ll still have few years left in it.
Lincoln
Average mileage when sold: 151,943
Lincoln’s don’t rank on the lists of longest lasting car brands, but a good one can take you to 180,000 miles, and we’ve sold a few with over 200,000 miles.
Mazda
Average mileage when sold: 163,031
Many Mazda’s are easily reaching 125,000 miles, but it takes maintenance and particular models like the Mazda3, Mazda6, and MPV to reach 175,000 miles and beyond. Look for lower mileage Mazda’s.
Mercedes-Benz
Average mileage when sold: 174,982
Perhaps surprising to some since Mercedes are often frustrating to own, but Mercedes can last when maintained. Especially the C and E-Class, can last you 15 years and over 170,000 miles without mounting major repairs.
Mercury
Average mileage when sold: 141,592
Trust your Mercury to take you over 120,000 miles but realize that maintenance will accelerate quickly when you go beyond, especially after 150,000.
Mini
Average mileage when sold: 149,156
Many Mini Cooper’s will last upwards of 200,000 miles, but that’s the exception. The rule is closer to 150,000-180,000 with regular maintenance.
Mitsubishi
Average mileage when sold: 180,809
Mitsubishi makes some good cars, and you can trust certain models, like the Montero Sport, to get you close to 200,000 miles and even beyond without major problems. Their average lifespan is often a couple years shy of 200,000, especially if maintenance is irregular.
Nissan
Average mileage when sold: 179,435
Nissan has a reputation of just going and going, especially models like the Altima, Sentra, and Maxima. More often than not, Nissan’s sell at auction with well over 170,000, 200,000, even 250,000 miles on them. If you find a Nissan here not in need of major repairs, then you’re looking at a workhorse of a car.
Pontiac
Average mileage when sold: 164,012
Another fair entry into the lifespan contest. Pontiac won’t usually help you hit 200,000 miles, but it comes close.
Saturn
Average mileage when sold: 155,443
The lifespan of Saturn cars is usually in the 140-170,000 range, or 12–14 years, then it is in the 200,000+ range.
Scion
Average mileage when sold: 183,954
Scion has fans in the industry for reliability. You’ll do better here than many other brands.
Subaru
Average mileage when sold: 169,876
Subaru is known for being a rugged, outdoorsy kind of car and you’ll find them high up in the mountains and down other less traveled roads. As such, Subaru’s take a lot of beatings. If you’re interested in one, you’re likely an adventurer yourself. Bet on hitting 175,000 miles, and 200,000 miles and more on the odometer shouldn’t be a problem.