Cars are a huge investment in your life, and if you’re like most people, you want to make the most of that investment by having it carry you for as many miles and years as possible. But just how long can you expect your car to last? Some people have their cars give out on them after a few short years while other people are still driving around in cars they purchased decades ago.

There are loads of factors which contribute to how long your car will last, but there’s one underlying principle that has the biggest influence on this factor: how well you take care of your car. There’s a saying when it comes to car ownership: take care of your car and it will take care of you.

Who Made Your Car?

There’s no denying that certain brands of cars generally tend to last longer than others. There are always exceptions to this rule—the most reliable company on the market will produce the occasional lemon and the least reliable company can produce cars which last for decades. However, these brands often require extensive care and maintenance in order to keep running properly. There are plenty of opinions on which brands fit into which group, so it’s strongly advised you do your research before making your initial purchase decision.

How Much Do You Drive?

Any vehicle, no matter how well-constructed, won’t last long if you put it through miles and miles of use each and every day. The heavier you use a vehicle, the more you’ll have to maintain it, the faster its parts will wear out, and the shorter you can expect its lifespan to be. As a general rule, if you drive more each day, you’ll need to change your oil and other fluids more frequently, including possibly shortening the number of miles you drive between changes to make sure that they remain fresh and in good condition, or else your engine and other critical components will face increased wear and tear. However, if you only drive a few short miles each day, or even work from home most days and don’t drive at all, your car could last well over ten years without question.

What Kind of Driving Do You Do?

In addition to how much you drive, the kind of driving you do each day will also influence how long your car will last. The more starting and stopping you do, the harder your driving will be on your engine. Spending hours in bumper-to-bumper rush-hour traffic each day is certainly not ideal for your car, as is driving dozens of miles in typical urban settings featuring a lot of traffic lights, stop signs, and other obstacles that force you to hit the brakes. Open highway miles may add a lot to a car’s odometer, but are far easier for your car to handle, which means you can expect your car to last considerably longer, even when the odometer flips over into six-digit figures.

What Kind of Care Do You Take of Your Car?

We briefly touched on this earlier, but the kind of care you take of your car dramatically influences its longevity. Do you make sure to get your oil changed at regular intervals? Do you regularly have your tires rotated and brakes inspected so they can be replaced when they start approaching the end of their life? Each of these factors will improve your car’s lifespan and keep it running well into its high-mileage state. However, missing oil change intervals or neglecting other important maintenance responsibilities will only contribute to a more rapid deterioration of your car’s engine, powertrain, and other components. This is particularly true on modern cars, which are engineered to be so precise for optimal performance and efficiency.

About Christian Brothers Automotive

Christian Brothers Automotive is your local automotive repair and maintenance solution for all your vehicle needs. Each of our more than 190 locations is locally-owned and operated and employs certified technicians to offer you the best experience possible. We want to change the way people think about auto services, and that’s why we invite you to bring your vehicle to us whether you need a major repair or routine maintenance.

Schedule an inspection and maintenance service today by calling your local Christian Brothers Automotive.