What is the service life of a car?
3 Answers
Generally, the normal service life of a car is around 8-10 years. With proper maintenance, the service life can be extended further. Typically, private cars should be scrapped after 15 years of use or when the mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers. However, there are no mandatory scrapping regulations for non-commercial household private cars. As long as the vehicle meets the annual inspection standards, it can still be used normally. For commercial vehicles, the government will guide their scrapping once they reach the designated service life. The lifespan of a car is influenced by many factors, including wear and corrosion, dirt accumulation and deterioration, aging of non-metallic components such as rubber and plastic, material fatigue, deformation of parts or poor manufacturing quality, improper operation or misuse, incorrect maintenance, and traffic accidents. When using a car, owners should perform regular maintenance. A minor maintenance should be done every 5,000 kilometers, the front and rear wheels should be rotated every 30,000 kilometers, and the tires should be replaced every 50,000 kilometers. At the same time, driving habits should be as standardized as possible to prevent traffic accidents.
I drive a 2008 old Corolla that still runs great, and I reckon it can last a few more years. There's no fixed rule for a car's lifespan—it mainly depends on how you maintain and drive it. I follow the manual for maintenance, changing oil, brake pads, and never neglecting the tires. I also drive gently, mostly on smooth roads and avoid off-roading. Mileage plays a big role—after hitting 200,000 km, minor issues start popping up, but repairs can keep it running. My friend drove recklessly, and his car gave out in just ten years. The key is to avoid frequent hard acceleration or improper parking. Environment matters too—constant heat and humidity speed up corrosion, but my car stays in the garage, so it holds up better. Financially, extending its lifespan saves money—older cars have cheaper insurance and less depreciation. Bottom line: take good care of it, and 15 years is totally doable.
Having been in the used car market for many years, the common lifespan of a car is around ten to fifteen years, but the variation is huge. Brand plays a crucial role—Toyota and Honda, for example, are known for their durability, often seen with over 200,000 kilometers, while German cars are precise but have expensive parts. Usage habits matter even more—company fleet cars driven daily tend to wear more evenly, whereas private cars left unused often age faster. Factors affecting lifespan include mileage accumulation speed, maintenance record completeness, and accident history. A car with accident history, even if young, loses significant value; well-maintained cars fetch higher prices in the market. Climate also plays a role—road salt and antifreeze corrode undercarriages in the north, while mold is more common in the south. I once took in a 12-year-old Fit whose owner was meticulous—it still runs great today. Overall, rational use and economic factors often push people to upgrade to newer cars.
