Estimating How Long a Car Will Run

Yes, it is possible to estimate how long a used car will last you, but there is no way to guarantee the longevity of a car.

Naturally, if you’re buying a used car, you want to be sure the car will last you awhile, at least until you’re ready to buy another one.  An important part of researching used cars before making a purchase is to learn which car models have the best track record for performance and longevity. 

Read Reports

A number of consumer resources, like Consumer Reports Magazine, offer automobile ratings and reviews which cover how different models perform over time and how difficult or expensive they are to maintain.

Review Service History

Of course, general model reviews won’t be applicable to every car.  Once you’ve picked out a used car, you’ll want to review as much of that car’s history as possible to gauge the car’s condition and estimate how much it has left.  If the previous owner maintained complete service records throughout the lifetime of the car, that would be very helpful.  However, many times used cars have multiple previous owners, and often complete service records are not available.

Get a Vehicle History Report

Fortunately, you can obtain a vehicle history report on any car as long as you have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).  A vehicle history report details any accidents and major repair work done to a vehicle -- information which is critical in estimating the longevity of a car.

Of course, there is no way to guarantee how long a used car will last you.  Technically, you can make a used car last forever if you’re willing to spend the money replacing every part over time.  But since most people aren’t willing or able to do that, the best option is to obtain a vehicle history report and get a better sense of the condition of the car before you buy it.  Ordering a vehicle history report online is fast and easy and is the best first step in buying a used car.