How long does a car last?
Typical lifespan
8–20 yr
A four-wheeled passenger road vehicle, most commonly a five-seat sedan or hatchback.
Average age at scrappage in the US and Europe is 12-14 years.
How that compares
Car against things of a similar time.
Car 8–20 yr
Air conditioner 8–20 yr
Leopard 10–21 yr
Jaguar 11–22 yr
Snow leopard 10–21 yr
Labrador retriever 10–14 yr
Propane tank 10–12 yr
Mute swan 10–30 yr
What that means over time
| Period | How many you would buy |
|---|---|
| Per year | 0.0833 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 1 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 2.5 of them |
Lifespans are medians under ordinary use, not guarantees. Maintenance, how hard it is used, and build quality move individual examples a long way in both directions — which is why the range above is as wide as it is.
More about a car
- How much does a car weigh? 1,100–2,100 kg
- How much does a car cost? 18,000–60,000 $
- Car vs SUV Side by side
- Car vs Pickup truck Side by side
- Car vs Minivan Side by side
- Car vs Hippopotamus Side by side
- Car vs Tractor Side by side
- Car vs Orca Side by side
Common questions
- How long does a car last?
- A car lasts 8–20 yr. Average age at scrappage in the US and Europe is 12-14 years.
Related pages
- How much does a car weigh? 1,100–2,100 kg
- How much does a car cost? 18,000–60,000 $
- How long does a tractor last? 15–50 yr
- How long does a electric scooter last? 2–6 yr
- Car vs SUV Side by side
- Car vs Pickup truck Side by side
- Car vs Minivan Side by side
- Car vs Hippopotamus Side by side
- Car vs Tractor Side by side
- Car vs Orca Side by side
Sources
- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place