The average car on the road is now nearly 13 years old, a record.

Both of our vehicles are 2021. Wife's is paid for, mine is not because I just bought it used this year. If things go according to plan, I'm not buying another vehicle for myself until retirement in 18 years.

2017 with 120Kish miles. I'll drive it till the wheels fall off.

My car: 2014. Paid off. 140k miles on it

Wife’s SUV: 2017. Paid off. 160k miles on it.

No plans for new car payments any time soon.

14 year old F250, bought new in 2012 and it's ~140 miles away from crossing 200,000 miles. It's getting a new AC compressor, new ball joints, and some other service items soon. It does everything I need it to do, and the new equivalent of my truck is now ~$30k more than what this one MSRPed for.

My wife's vehicle is a 2026 Odyssey, and that's only because a drunk a-hole totaled our 2019 4Runner.

2014 and 2016 lowish miles, paid off, maintaining to not have car notes

I’d have to see real data on this. I don’t think that the average age of a car on the road in the U.S. could possibly be 13 years.

My grandpa had a 65 Chevy pickup with step sides, and in the mid-80s the truck looked like it was 50 years old. Paint worn with some surface rust. Upholstery brittle and torn. Original wood bed rotted out. Engine bay more grease than engine.

My truck will be 20 years old this April. Needs to have the hood resprayed from rock dings, and there’s a single small tear in the upholstery. When I change the oil, the old stuff comes out light brown at worst.

quote:

---

I’d have to see real data on this. I don’t think that the average age of a car on the road in the U.S. could possibly be 13 years.

---

quote:

---

The average light vehicle on U.S. roads was 12.8 years old in 2025, according to the most recent annual figure from S&P Global Mobility.

---

U.S. Vehicle Age Rises Again to 12.8 Years in 2025, According to S&P Global Mobility

Vehicles are better-built, far more reliable, and safer than at any other time in history.





A well-maintained vehicle can easily go 20 years, until things like metal fatigue and specialized parts availability become factors.

Obviously, it won't have the latest tech, but it will still get you point to point.


We often buy new vehicles because we want them, not necessarily because we need them.

Was in Winslow last week and saw a FallGuy truck. Crossed the street to have a closer look...

Wife didn't know who that was...