Cars aren’t designed and built to last a lifetime. There are so many moving parts, thousands of components that need regular maintenance and replacement, and the value of cars drops to such low levels that you can buy a pair of average running shoes for more than an average car is worth after many years.
Now that we have that out of the way, you need to make peace with the fact that cars are an enormous investment for many years. Of course, we would all like our cars to last for many years to reduce the costs of ownership over time. There are several factors at play in this, and so long as you don’t mind getting your hands a bit dirty you will enjoy your car for two decades.
You must learn a few tips and tricks along the way so you can take care of the routine and regular maintenance yourself. For that, you can buy your own service kits and sundry bits to keep your car roadworthy and safe. You can find reputable retailers from reading reviews about car parts companies. Car Parts 4 Less is one company you will find yourself reading and shopping for bits and pieces for your car. You can read up on insights on this company and also learn where Car Parts 4 Less branches are located.
A car: it’s one of the biggest investments many shoppers will make for years. That begs the obvious question of how long the car will last. While many factors influence this number, there are some tried-and-true tactics to figure out the average lifespan of your vehicle.
The average lifespan of a car in the UK is around 8 years, but the age at which they scrap the most cars is 14 years. Around the rest of the world, the average age of vehicles on the road is 15 years.
Modern cars are more reliable and less maintenance-driven than their older ilk. Their construction also means they’re better built and can withstand aging far better.
The lifespan of engines and gearboxes – the most expensive parts to replace on vehicles – is around 200,000 miles. However, if it is well-maintained and serviced regularly, with a few key replacements parts, those same engines can run for 300,000 miles. Some trucks – long haulers that transport cargo from the UK into Europe and back – regularly clock up 800,000 or 900,000 miles before being retired.
With regular maintenance, and a little of elbow grease, you’ll be able to make your car last for longer:
1) Stick to the service schedules and never skip a service.
2) Attend to minor problems immediately rather than letting them become headaches later on.
3) Check your car’s engine oil level and condition weekly.
4) Always let your car’s engine warm up to operating temperature before you push the car past 2,500 rpm.
5) Always allow your car to cool off after long drives to get all the fluids and oils to cool down.