What is the average age of a used car?

Asked by: Sandra Schultz  |  Last update: October 24, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (37 votes)

The average car is now over 12 years old — that's a problem if you're in the market for a used vehicle. For the sixth year in a row, the average age of cars in the US increased. Drivers are holding onto their cars for an average of 12.5 years.

What is the life expectancy of a used car?

Consumer reports note that while the typical lifespan of a new vehicle is approximately 8 years or 150,000 miles, well-maintained vehicles can surpass 15 years and overcome 300,000 miles.

What is considered old for a used car?

Cars older than eight to 10 years will be a riskier option, depending on the driving and maintenance history, while vehicles over 15 to 20 are usually nearing the end of their service lives.

Is a 7 year old car too old to buy?

Anywhere from about 2-3 years old to about 10 years old is good. Once it's over 10 years old and owned by someone else, it's likely that car's been well used unless someone was really taking care of it. For many ``appliance'' type vehicles people just run to get groceries and to work, people don't take care of cars.

What is the best age to sell a used car?

Best time to sell cars are usually around 7 to 10 year mark. Cars are depreciating asset. The longer you can keep them without any monthly loan payments, the better you will be financially.

What is More Important When Buying a Used Car: Miles or Age?

16 related questions found

At what age do cars lose the most value?

Within the first year, many cars will lose up to 20% of their value. After that, they may lose about 15% more per year until the four-or five-year mark.

Is a 5 year old used car too old?

Although a 2 to 5-year-old vehicle is commonly regarded as the “sweet spot,” thorough research and consideration of important factors are essential for making an informed decision.

What is considered high mileage for a used car?

Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.

Is it worth keeping a 20 year old car?

Older vehicles often require more frequent maintenance, and some components may need replacement due to age-related wear. The overall cost of ownership can increase significantly as the car ages, potentially outweighing the initial savings on the purchase price.

What is the sweet spot age for a used car?

If you decide to keep it at that point, understand that there's a good chance it's going to be less reliable in the future. When you're buying a used car, I'd say the sweet spot is two-three years and 24,000 to 36,000 miles. At that point, lots of cars will have depreciated by about a third.

Is low mileage better than age?

If you're looking for a car that you can keep for many years, then it's important to focus on the vehicle's mileage rather than its age. That's because a car with lower mileage is more likely to last longer and require less maintenance than a car with higher mileage.

How many years is a good used car?

The optimal time to purchase a used car is typically between 2 to 5 years old. Within this age range, the vehicle has already experienced the most significant depreciation, yet remains relatively new and in good condition.

Which car brand has the longest life expectancy?

Longest-lasting cars
  • 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%

How old is OK for a used car?

The “sweet spot” for purchasing a used car is between 2 to 5 years old. This is the age range where the car has already gone through the steepest part of its depreciation curve, but it's still relatively new and in good condition.

How long should you let your car warm up?

Best Auto Products of the Year

When the temperature drops during winter, it's a good idea to let your car run for about a minute. Some drivers prefer to let the engine idle for 20 minutes or longer to get everything—including the cabin—really warm, but the fastest way to warm up an engine is by driving.

At what mileage should a car be replaced?

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 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.

Should I trade in my 10 year old car?

If the vehicle has been consistently maintained and has a reputation for reliability, a 10-year-old car can still offer dependable transportation. Researching the specific make and model's reliability can provide insights into its long-term performance.

What is the best mileage for a second-hand car?

A reasonably good mileage on a used car should be about 15,000 km—20,000 km per year. For example, a three-year-old car should have used around 45,000 km to 65,000 km, and a five-year-old should have used around 75,000 km to 100,000 km. Anything beyond that is considered high mileage.

Is 70,000 miles a lot for a 10 year old car?

A 10-year-old ride with only 70,000 miles would be considered low mileage on a used car and could actually be a good deal. Conversely, a five-year-old car with 140,000 miles would be seen as high mileage, raising concerns about its condition and longevity.

How many miles should a 2008 car have in 2024?

What Is Considered Good Mileage? For 2024 car shoppers, the commonly accepted average is about 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. Therefore, a five-year-old car with around 60,000 to 75,000 miles is considered average.

Is mileage or age more important?

This depends on your budget, preference, and intended use, but if a car has high mileage, the wear-and-tear could cause bigger problems than a well-maintained, low-mileage car. Not all cases are the same, but mileage is a bigger factor to consider than age.

What age is the best used car to buy?

Buying a used car can save you money, but you'll want to check the vehicle's age and the number on its odometer to get an even greater value. According to Autotrader, the best used vehicle should be between four and six years old, and have less than 50,000 miles.

What is the best mileage to buy a used car?

As a general rule, you should assume that the average car owner puts 12,000 miles on a car each year. To determine whether a car has reasonable mileage, you can simply multiply 12,000 by its age. That means good mileage for a car that's 5 years old is 60,000.