Average Age of US Cars Hits Record High

[Mike Mercury]

The average age of US vehicles has been creeping upward for years.

In 2020, the average vehicle on Americans roads was almost a teenager, according to research firm IHS Markit. The company, which produces an annual report on the age of American vehicles, says the average age of cars, light trucks, and SUVs hit a record high of 12.1 years, up from 11.9 in 2019, USA Today reports. In 2002, it was 9.6. It was once common for vehicles to be scrapped after 100,000 miles, but with new safety features increasing cars' value and lifespan, "now I think multiple hundred thousand, two—even more, maybe 300,000 miles—is far more common than it used to be," says IHS aftermarket expert Todd Campau.

The relatively steep rise in the average vehicle age is likely a blip caused by the pandemic, IHS says. The company says COVID-19 caused a "sudden increase in vehicle scrappage." More than 15 million vehicles were scrapped in 2020, about 5.6% of the total, IHS says. But while this might have caused the average age to decline in a normal year, there was also a drastic decline in new vehicle sales and a sharp reduction in miles traveled, Reuters reports. Analysts say a global semiconductor has cut new vehicle production and caused a massive 46.9% year-on-year rise in used car prices, a trend that might end up lowering the average vehicle age if more people decide to trade in their older vehicles.

https://www.newser.com/story/307377/...ss_world_login

[Raazor]

We had two 15 year old Lexi. Now we have one 15 year old Lexus. My daughter drives it and has no intentions of giving that sucker up.

[Raazor]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

https://www.newser.com/story/307377/...ss_world_login

My wife's summer car is the Charger She won't give that sucker up! Flex's Charger is his winter car

[Rodnok1]

I currently do not own anything newer than a 2000 model year. So I'm throwing the curve off.

[JetMechZ16]

My oldest vehicle is a 2002 STD Harley.

[RMVette]

Originally Posted by Raazor

We had two 15 year old Lexi. Now we have one 15 year old Lexus. My daughter drives it and has no intentions of giving that sucker up.

I have a 13 yo Lexus that my daughter drives and still runs great!

[Datawiz]

The story also fails to mention "Cash for Clunkers" that came out after the recession. That took a lot of older cars out of the ecosystem and put the owners in much newer cars. Those same people, in large numbers, are still driving the car they replaced the Clunker with. Many are not in a position to buy a new car.

[JetMechZ16]

Originally Posted by datawiz

The story also fails to mention "Cash for Clunkers" that came out after the recession. That took a lot of older cars out of the ecosystem and put the owners in much newer cars. Those same people, in large numbers, are still driving the car they replaced the Clunker with. Many are not in a position to buy a new car.

You need to borrow a little $$ ?

[Aerovette]

I think it has less to do with reliability and improvements in quality, and more to do with insane prices for new vehicles. If you aren't paying cash, you could do $400.00 a month in repairs for three years and still come out ahead.

[Rodnok1]

Originally Posted by aerovette

I think it has less to do with reliability and improvements in quality, and more to do with insane prices for new vehicles. If you aren't paying cash, you could do $400.00 a month in repairs for three years and still come out ahead.

Do all my own work so not having a car payment i can throw a couple k at car a year and not blink.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by datawiz

The story also fails to mention "Cash for Clunkers" that came out after the recession. That took a lot of older cars out of the ecosystem and put the owners in much newer cars. Those same people, in large numbers, are still driving the car they replaced the Clunker with. Many are not in a position to buy a new car.

Thought the same when I read this. That program almost put my friend out of business because he was selling a lot of stuff on the low end to folks that could only afford that bracket.

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by JetMechZ16

You need to borrow a little $$ ?

[Torqaholic]

Already have what I want and it'll outlast me. Certainly not buying one of those generic looking dorkmobiles. Fact is I won't even sit in one as a passenger... "Not that there's anything wrong with that"

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by JetMechZ16

You need to borrow a little $$ ?

24 hrs after payment late...

[Anjdog2003]

Originally Posted by Raazor

We had two 15 year old Lexi. Now we have one 15 year old Lexus. My daughter drives it and has no intentions of giving that sucker up.

tahnks

[Anjdog2003]

My oldest car is a 1962 MGA MarkII the same age as me.

[m and t's77]

Cars are lasting longer for the most part.I'll drive mine into the ground or because I live in N.H. they will rust out from under me.
Happened to my '03 ZR2 mechanical it was perfect but the body gave out in '15.

[Hardluck]

Originally Posted by JetMechZ16

My oldest vehicle is a 2002 STD Harley.

You have a HD that has an STD, figures!

[snide]

The wife's '99 Tracker vert is still going strong.

[Murray]

My family…..

2004 Accord DD
2004 Corvette conv.
2009 Acura
2016 Dodge Charger
2019 BMW X5

The kids have the newest cars