How Long do Cars Last in Texas?

When you buy a car, you might think will this impress my date, or how fast can I really go, or this better fit everything. More than likely, ALL of us think…

…how long will it last? 🤔

What is the average lifespan of a car? We want to know too. So we consulted experts and looked at our own data here at Public Auto Auctions in Kyle, Texas. With the Texas weather, roads, and (ahem), drivers out here, lifespan is key to a car's value.

We want to know the best and worst car lifespans by make and model, because that impacts your bid. We’ve sold thousands of cars, each with a recorded mileage when it left the auction lot.

This data tells us how much value drivers got out of their car and how much life is still in them. What we mean is, when a bidder buys a car with 200,000 miles on it, with the intent to drive, then that bidder believes the car isn’t done yet. 🛞

The Average Lifespan of a Car

Carecareportal praises Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, Scion, and Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports calls out Toyota and Lexus by name. 

The Bureau of Transportation says that the average car lasts roughly 12 years or 200,000 miles. That’s actually 16,666 miles per year, a little above the average. It’s generally applied that, in America, we drive our cars between 10-15,000 miles annually.

It depends on how much commuting or adventuring you do. 🛣️

More about good mileage for a used car here.

But, sadly, many cars simply DO NOT reach 200,000 miles. And we don’t mean because of accidents, bad weather, or aliens. 😞 Some cars are just built better.

Any bidder needs to know that all cars aren’t created equal. While it’s a fact you’ll save money at Public Auto Auctions, you don’t want to “save” on something unreliable. You want to know which cars are truly worth buying with the intent to drive.

Of course, if you’re bidding for parts or a car to fix up but not drive much, then it’s a different story. 🔧

How to Read Car Longevity Data 💽

This is important!

If a car shows up on the auction lot with a lot of miles and sells, you can be sure that owners got a lot of value out of the car, and that buyers thought the car’s lifespan wasn’t over! 

Carmakers with the Longest Lifespans 🚗

Mechanics, testers, and everyday drivers will agree that along with how you drive and how you maintain, one of the most impactful factors on a car’s lifespan is WHO MADE IT. The car brand matters! 🛻

Here in Kyle, Texas, our auction lot has sold thousands of cars since 2001. We looked at the average mileage of car brands as they’re sold and put together our review of how long cars last.

Acura

Average mileage of car when sold: 196,206

Acura comes from Honda, so we’re not surprised that average mileages are up close to 200,000. At 196,000 miles average and driving around 12,000 miles per year, that’s about 16 years of life, and with dozens pushing 250,000, an Acura’s lifespan can commonly be 20 years.

Audi

Average mileage when sold: 146,840

Audi is an expensive car to repair and usually won’t last as long as the reliability heavy hitters on this list.

BMW

Average mileage when sold: 176,718

BMW is also expensive to maintain, but you can expect a good lifespan out of the 3 and 5-Series especially. We’d expect over 120,000 miles, not be surprised at 150,000, and be impressed at 200,000. It’s happened, though. 😀

Learn more about the telling a reliable car from an unreliable one here.

Buick

Average mileage when sold: 133,689

Lots of older Buick's pass through our Texan auction lot, but we don’t see a ton of them hit 200,000 miles and beyond.

Cadillac

Average mileage when sold: 120,692

Most of our stock is donated, and finding a high quality used car is tough these days. While you will get a great deal on a Cadillac, they don’t rank high in terms of lifespan. So just know that if you really want a Cadillac, it may only have a few years left on it by the time it reaches the lot.

Chevrolet

Average mileage when sold: 175,664

Chevrolet is a popular choice and the lifespan is not bad. Many of the models that come on our auction lot are over 150,000! A Chevy, especially a truck, is built with a typical lifespan well over 200,000 miles and likely over 20 years of sustained use.

Chrysler

Average mileage when sold: 146,208

We’ve seen a few Chryslers hit 200,000 miles and more, but the average mileage you see is fairly representative of a Chrysler’s lifespan. Expect your Chrysler to serve you well, when cared for, until between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. Anything above 200k is a plus. 👍

Dodge

Average mileage when sold: 166,974

Our data tells us that a Dodge will have an average lifespan just shy of that 200k mark. Specific models that pushed high mileage consistently were the Grand Caravan, Ram 1500, Durango, and Dakota.

Ford

Average mileage when sold: 169,543

Ford is another popular brand. ⭐ There are a variety of Ford models that last past 200,000 miles. Ford’s F-Series, specifically, are known for longevity, as you see here. You can bet the farm on a well-maintained Ford hitting 250,000 miles.

GMC

Average mileage when sold: 202,613

Sierra 1500 and 3500’s as well as Yukon’s pushed this average up. Those GMC trucks are built to hit 200k in stride, so if you’re looking for a truck, consider one of them. 💪

Honda

Average mileage when sold: 200,910

Honda’s are everywhere. And for good reason. Various models breach 200,000 miles, from Pilot’s, to Odyssey’s, to Civic’s and Accord’s. At 200k, your Honda, if maintained right, has a long way to go.

Hyundai 

Average mileage when sold: 151,580

While some Hyundai’s reach 200k and beyond, most don’t. Hyundai’s will get you to 150,000, 175,000, and there’s a good chance you’ll hit 200,000, but the average lifespan is closer to 150k than 200k, unless you’re OK with a lot of repairs piling up. 💰

Now is a good point to remember that just because the odometer is high DOES NOT mean the car is worthless to you. High mileage cars are closer to their life’s end, it’s true, but they ARE NOT DEAD YET.

Always inspect the car with a checklist and a mechanic and consider that the huge amount you save at auction, plus tuning the car can very much be worth a couple of years of reliability. 🧑‍🔧

Infiniti

Average mileage when sold: 171,730

With a few exceptions, Infiniti’s are not known for hitting high miles. As you browse our inventory, and see an Infiniti pushing 200k or over, its lifespan is likely almost done. If you’re looking to put plenty more miles on an Infiniti, look for ones between 100-140,000 miles. They have a lot of life still in them! 

Jaguar

Average mileage when sold: 131,310

Jaguar is another luxury car that doesn’t often see past 150,000 miles, let alone 200,000. 🥱

Jeep

Average mileage when sold: 177,176

Grand Cherokee’s are typically the Jeeps to make it past 200k. While Jeeps can be difficult to maintain, they are fun. 🤙 Look for one closer to 100,000 miles when you browse the Public Auto auction inventory, and you’ll get another 70-100k miles out of it, or more if it’s a much-loved Grand Cherokee.

Kia

Average mileage when sold: 155,866

Kia’s don’t have the longevity of Honda’s, Toyota’s, Chevrolet’s, and Ford or GMC trucks, but you can trust your regularly maintenanced Kia to get you to 175,000. It’s a bit up in the air after that.

Lexus

Average mileage when sold: 181,140

Lexus is from Toyota, so reliability runs in the blood. You can trust a maintained Lexus to definitely hit 200k and there’s a decent chance it’ll still have few years left in it.

Lincoln

Average mileage when sold: 151,943

Lincoln’s don’t rank on the lists of longest lasting car brands, but a good one can take you to 180,000 miles, and we’ve sold a few with over 200,000 miles.

Mazda

Average mileage when sold: 163,031

Many Mazda’s are easily reaching 125,000 miles, but it takes maintenance and particular models like the Mazda3, Mazda6, and MPV to reach 175,000 miles and beyond. Look for lower mileage Mazda’s.

Mercedes-Benz

Average mileage when sold: 174,982

Perhaps surprising to some since Mercedes are often frustrating to own, but Mercedes can last when maintained. Especially the C and E-Class, can last you 15 years and over 170,000 miles without mounting major repairs.

Mercury

Average mileage when sold: 141,592

Trust your Mercury to take you over 120,000 miles but realize that maintenance will accelerate quickly when you go beyond, especially after 150,000.

Mini

Average mileage when sold: 149,156

Many Mini Cooper’s will last upwards of 200,000 miles, but that’s the exception. The rule is closer to 150,000-180,000 with regular maintenance.

Mitsubishi

Average mileage when sold: 180,809

Mitsubishi makes some good cars, and you can trust certain models, like the Montero Sport, to get you close to 200,000 miles and even beyond without major problems. Their average lifespan is often a couple years shy of 200,000, especially if maintenance is irregular.

Here’s what you need to know about the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Nissan

Average mileage when sold: 179,435

Nissan has a reputation of just going and going, especially models like the Altima, Sentra, and Maxima. More often than not, Nissan’s sell at auction with well over 170,000, 200,000, even 250,000 miles on them. If you find a Nissan here not in need of major repairs, then you’re looking at a workhorse of a car.

Here we profile the Nissan 300zx.

Pontiac

Average mileage when sold: 164,012

Another fair entry into the lifespan contest. Pontiac won’t usually help you hit 200,000 miles, but it comes close.

Saturn

Average mileage when sold: 155,443

The lifespan of Saturn cars is usually in the 140-170,000 range, or 12–14 years, then it is in the 200,000+ range.

Scion

Average mileage when sold: 183,954

Scion has fans in the industry for reliability. You’ll do better here than many other brands.

Subaru

Average mileage when sold: 169,876

Subaru is known for being a rugged, outdoorsy kind of car and you’ll find them high up in the mountains and down other less traveled roads. As such, Subaru’s take a lot of beatings. If you’re interested in one, you’re likely an adventurer yourself. Bet on hitting 175,000 miles, and 200,000 miles and more on the odometer shouldn’t be a problem.

Check out our review of the Subaru Outback.

And here’s everything to know about the Subaru Legacy.

Toyota

Average mileage when sold: 194,220

It’s no shocker to anyone that Toyota’s last forever. Toyota consistently ranks high, if not at the top, of many reliability and longevity tests. So many models, including the Prius, Camry, Corolla, and 4Runner, reach 250,000 miles.

What else is there to say? A Toyota is a great buy at auction.

Volkswagen

Average mileage when sold: 150,064

Volkswagen’s have great chances to well surpass 150,000, but be sure to maintain them.

Volvo

Average mileage when sold: 172,119

Often you’ll find Volvo’s at Public Aucti