What Is The Average Life Of A Vehicle?

A common question among car buyers is how many years will they be able to enjoy their new vehicle in good condition. Therefore, we show you an analysis of the half-life of a vehicle.

Where can the average life of a vehicle go?

This is a difficult question to answer. This is because the half-life of a vehicle depends on a large number of factors. On the one hand, it depends on the vehicle itself, the model, the make, the manufacturing methods and the quality and useful life of the materials used.

On the other hand, there is the use that is given to the vehicle. In this sense, its average life will be more or less durable depending on the frequency with which it is used, the smoothness in driving, the preventive maintenance or the speed when it comes to repairing any problem.

Finally, there are certain external agents that influence this half-life. This will be the case of possible government aid to buy new vehicles and maintain high economic activity in the automobile sector.

Over the years, vehicles consume more and more fuel per 100 kilometers traveled, or they require more frequent tire changes. This will mean that each driver must assess how profitable it is to keep his vehicle or buy another.

We must also value that, the older a car has, the lower its value in the second-hand market. Except, of course, that we are talking about a classic and iconic vehicle in the motor world, whose value is more historical than material.

The mileage of the vehicle

An indicator of the good condition of a vehicle is its mileage. As we have discussed, the more a vehicle is used, the more its components wear out. Therefore, it will be easier for breakdowns and various problems to arise.

In relation to this, looking at how many kilometers our vehicle has traveled can help us determine its useful life. Of course, there is a lot of controversy regarding this matter, since each vehicle will endure a greater or lesser number of kilometers.

To give a rough average, a typical value is the 320,000 km limit. From this figure, there are many recommendations that point to the possibility of changing vehicles.

The years since the car’s registration

On the other hand, there is the number of years the vehicle has been since its registration. In the same way as in the case of mileage, each vehicle is different and, depending on the model and the treatment it has been given, it may circulate under certain conditions for a different number of years.

Currently, the average life of vehicles is 14 years. This will be the period of time in which an average vehicle will travel the number of kilometers that we have indicated above.

However, we will all know cases of vehicles that are twenty years old, or older, and still operating in good condition. In these cases, the most common will be that they are cars that have been used infrequently, so, although the mechanical systems of the car are old, they will be little worn.

Maintenance costs on the vehicle

To know if our vehicle has reached the end of its useful life, we must look at the price of the repairs that we must carry out. It is important to realize that a vehicle that reaches its useful life does not mean that it can no longer be used, but that it is not profitable to use.

Therefore, when the cost of a major repair plus other periodic maintenance costs is close to 80% of the cost of a new or second-hand car, our vehicle will have reached the end of its useful life.

This limit will indicate that, in a few months, any other repair will be more expensive than buying a new vehicle. To provide a more tangible value, after the eight years of the car’s life since its registration, we must already begin to do some calculations to see the profitability of certain repairs.

If the expense is too high, we should start thinking about buying a new car instead of keeping the old one, since the maintenance costs will not be profitable.