Do you love your car and want to keep riding it for as long as possible? In these modern times, vehicles stay popular and in great shape for longer because car owners take the right steps to keep their rides in great shape for longer. In this guide, we are going to take a look at the average life span of a car and we share some great tips to help keep your car in good condition for longer.

What Is The Average Lifespan Of Car?

The typical lifespan of a passenger car is about 350,000 kilometres or about 12 years.

But the longevity of a vehicle can depend on many things. Vehicles that are driven more frequently endure a lot more wear and tear than cars that are only driven occasionally. The type of roads you are most likely to take on can also affect its durability since rougher roads have a much greater impact on vehicle components. Even your location can impact the lifespan of your car since coastal regions tend to cause more rust on vehicles compared to inland locations. Modern vehicles also tend to last a lot longer compared to old vehicles thanks to an improved design and better maintenance records.

What Is The Average Trade-In For A Car?

Most people will sell their old vehicles well before the car reaches its lifespan. This is because vehicles tend to decrease in value the older they get. By selling at the right time, car owners often avoid a lot of repairs that are common for old vehicles and they can still get a good selling price.

Vehicles drop in selling price for every 15 000 kilometres you drive. But vehicles that are kept in good condition can keep a good resell value of 60 to 70% of the original price even if it has a lot of miles on the clock.  By the time a car is 5 years old, it will likely drop significantly in value due to a decrease in popularity. But between 5 and 8 years, the car values don’t usually decrease too much.

Motorists who buy brand new cars typically only drive their new cars for about six years before trading in. But many people do keep driving their old cars for about 11 years since it makes more sense to keep driving a car that is in good condition and paid off than it does to take out an expensive loan for a new ride that offers the same function as an older car.

How to Keep Your Car in Good Condition for Longer

There are lots of things you can do to keep your car in great shape so you can keep driving it for well over 12 years. Here are the top strategies to help extend the lifespan of your car.

Regular Servicing

Regularly servicing your car is the most important factor for keeping your car in good condition. Your car should be serviced at least once a year or every 20 000 kilometres depending on how much you drive. Without regular services, your engine is very likely to obtain substantial damage that could result in premature engine failure.

Regular Repairs and Checks

You should also inspect strange symptoms like engine noises or braking noises whenever you see something strange. Regular repairs on your car can help you avoid a major breakdown and keep your ride in great shape for longer.

Regular Cleaning

Your car should be washed at least once a month but preferably once every two weeks. Regular washing keeps deposits from staining your exterior and regular interior vacuuming will also keep the interior fresh for longer.

Use Protective Products

Protective products like car polish, dashboard polish or oil, and window sheen will keep these parts of your car protected from damaging UV rays so your car will continue to look bright and shiny for longer.

Shaded and Under Roof Parking

Parking your car under a roof can also protect it from constant UV rays and unexpected hail storms. This simple trick can make a huge difference in your paint job and the interior components of your vehicle.

The best thing you can do to keep your car in great condition is to get it serviced at Kendon Auto Electrical on a regular basis and to have these experts check and repair your car regularly. With proper care, your ride will stay in great shape so you can keep driving it for much longer.