At what mileage should a car be replaced?
Asked by: Geraldine Trantow | Last update: May 8, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (24 votes)
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 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.
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 is a car not worth fixing?
It varies but most cars get to 120000 - 130000 before needing much routine replacement repairs. After 150000 or so the repairs usually become a little more numerous but most cars can go to 200000 miles with the repairs still being economically justified.
TOP 6 SURPRISINGLY UNRELIABLE CARS
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.
At what mileage should I trade in my car?
30,000 to 60,000 Miles
It's a good idea to sell your car before it hits 60,000 miles if you don't want to spend a lot of money on repairs and replacement parts. During this mileage bracket, your car should be about five years old, meaning it'll still command a substantial amount.
What mileage is too high for a used car?
When it comes to determining how many miles are too many for a used car, there isn't a hard-and-fast rule. 200,000 miles is generally the upper limit for even well-maintained vehicles. However, mileage alone shouldn't be the deciding factor.
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.
At what mileage do cars need repairs?
Commonly called “30K/60K/90K” maintenance, scheduled factory maintenance services should be performed with your 30,000 mile maintenance, 60,000 mile maintenance and 90,000 mile maintenance services.
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.
What mileage to sell a car?
Somewhere in between the 50,000-mile and 60,000-mile mark seems to be the sweet spot for selling used cars. Once your car reaches 60,000 miles, you might have to start dealing with more major repairs than you had to tackle before. You can avoid them while still making a nice profit when you sell your car at this point.
Which car brand has the longest life expectancy?
- Toyota Camry, 20.4%
- Toyota Matrix, 16.7%
- Subaru Legacy, 16.2%
- Lexus GS 300, 15.9%
- Acura RL, 14.9%
- Honda Civic, 14.7%
- Volkswagen Golf, 14.2%
- Volkswagen Jetta, 11.7%
What wears out a car engine?
The main wear inside an engine comes from all its moving parts. When correctly maintained, the oil in a car's engine fills the tiny spaces between the moving parts so the parts themselves aren't actually touching (much like the cartilage in your joints).
At what age are most cars scrapped?
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.
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.
What car is ranked #1 in reliability?
The result of their testing and surveys is a rating system that assigns scores to brands and specific models. These are the top 10 of the most reliable car brands for 2025 and their overall scores, as ranked by Consumer Reports. Surprise, surprise! Subaru, Lexus, and Toyota top the charts.
What matters more, mileage or age?
Ultimately, the decision to prioritize age or mileage depends on a variety of factors, including the car's intended use, budget and personal preferences. If reliability and safety are paramount, a newer car with moderate mileage might be the ideal choice.
Is it worth fixing a car with 200k miles?
If the cost of the repair is less than or around 50% of the vehicle's value, it's usually worth it. Reliability: Some brands are known for their long-lasting reliability, even beyond the 200k-mile mark.
What's a good MPG for a car?
A good MPG is one that allows you to cover a good distance on the least amount of fuel. A good fuel consumption figure for a used car is around 40-60mpg. Cars that can achieve 40mpg are likely to help you keep fuel costs low, and anything above this is even more impressive.
At what mileage does a car lose the most value?
The most value is lost when cars surpass 60,000 miles, dropping by an average of 27% compared to their value at 50,000 miles. [1] This could be because the industry standard car warranty lasts for three years, or until a car reaches 60,000 miles, whichever is sooner.
When not to trade in your car?
When Not to Trade In a Car. Although there are exceptions to this rule — as there are for most rules — don't trade in a car that is worth less than what you owe. In other words, if you get less when trading it in than the loan payoff, don't do it.
What is the best age to sell a car?
That's how much the car's value decreases over time. According to Edmunds, there's a significant drop in the first 2-3 years, and another at the four-year mark. Selling in between those drops will generally net you the best value. After that, the next big drop usually happens at around eight years.