Car longevity

An automobile is a highly engineered collection of complex components, each of which has its own lifespan and longevity characteristics. The MTBF (mean time between failures) of some components is expected to be smaller than the life of the car, as the replacement of these is considered part of regular maintenance. Other components, which typically experience less wear, are expected to have a longer life; however, a large longevity may very well require replacement of several of these, raising issues of economics. The most expensive part of an electric car built in the 2020s is the battery, and its lifetime is expected to be about 16 years, or about 2 million kilometres (1.2 million miles) if the car driven a lot.[4]

The motivation for pursuing longevity can vary. The economic trade-off of the remaining value versus repair cost is usually considered when deciding to repair or discard. Other factors, such as emotional attachment or a desire to reduce waste, may also be involved.

The life of the auto, as the collection, follows, according to a very common model, a bathtub-like pattern. After an initial phase, where failure because of design and manufacturing defects as opposed to wear-out, is more likely (hence the offering of the warranties by the manufacturer), there may be a long period of unlikely failure. The maximum lifespan and future value as a classic for any car are typically not known when the car is purchased. Research into longevity of vehicles will improve the ability to predict car life, with such things as a life table for cars.

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency assumes the typical car is driven 24,000 kilometres (15,000 miles) per year. According to the New York Times, in the 1960s and 1970s, the typical car reached its end of life around 161,000 kilometres (100,000 miles), but due to manufacturing improvements in the 2000s, such as tighter tolerances and better anti-corrosion coatings, the typical car lasts closer to 322,000 kilometres (200,000 miles).[5]

Sikorsky and others, have developed lists that itemize steps that a car owner can take, or identified operating and maintenance rules,[6] to ensure maximal longevity.

1. Regular oil changes

2. Monitor the key fluids

3. Maintain the transmission

4. Change the spark plugs as needed

5. Replace the timing belt as recommended (if applicable)

6. Replace air filter as required

7. Know and use your maintenance manual

8. No sudden starts and stops

9. Plentiful low cost replacement parts being available

In a public economics sense, Kasmer argues that retrofitting autos with a newer transmission would extend the lifespan while at the same time increase fuel efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and prevent the sudden influx of discarded vehicles into the waste bin as cars are junked to be replaced by a modern vehicle. However, with replacement parts for modern cars becoming ever more high tech, expensive and proprietary and therefore difficult to obtain (due to OEM copyright), many critical components are no longer available at low cost from third party aftermarket suppliers. Due to this fact, most modern cars can no longer be maintained once repair cost of the car exceed resale value. This trend has led to the modern cars being labeled as the first ever "disposable" cars.

Some car manufacturers support a "high mileage" club. For example, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz have a "High Mileage Award" program in which owners who drive 250,000, 500,000, 750,000, and 1 million kilometres (156,000, 311,000, 466,000, 622,000 miles) are awarded with a certificate and a radiator grille badge.

Many non-commercial vehicles (both auto and truck) have exceeded 1,610,000 kilometres (1,000,000 miles). For instance, in 2013, East Patchogue, New York resident Irv Gordon (1940-2018) had accumulated 4.82 million kilometres (3 million miles) in his 1966 Volvo P1800. The car had amassed 5.15 million kilometres (3.2 million miles) by Gordon's death on 15 November 2018.[7] In 2006, a 1995 Dodge Ram was reported to Chrysler as having gone 1.61 million kilometres (1 million miles).[8]

A 1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D in Greece of Gregorios Sachinidis has reached 4,459,9999 kilometres (2,858,307 miles)[9] before retiring to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Germany.

A 1989 Saab 900 SPG belonging to Peter Gilbert of Wisconsin had put in 1,611,573 kilometres (1,001,385 miles) before it was donated to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum.

Another was the 1963 Volkswagen Beetle belonging to Albert Klein of Pasadena, California that had accumulated 2,320,745 kilometres (1,442,044 miles) on 25 January 1993.[10]

AARP Magazine featured several long-running cars over 320K kilometres (200K miles) in its July 2009 issue.[6]

A 2014 study on Consumer Reports by iSeeCars.com listed 10 Longest Lasting Cars over 320K kilometres (200K miles).[11]

• Reliability engineering
• Economics of automobile ownership
• Scrappage program